Australian swimmer Lani Pallister has withdrawn from the 1500m freestyle heats at the 2024 Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19.
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The 22-year-old was considered a strong contender for a medal in the event but will now focus on her recovery.
Pallister, who is making her Olympic debut in Paris, had previously withdrawn from the 400m freestyle to conserve her energy for longer events, including the 800m freestyle.
Jamie Perkins replaced her in the 400m to allow Pallister to concentrate on her primary events.
Despite her withdrawal from the 1500m freestyle, Pallister remains hopeful of competing in the 4x200m freestyle relay on Thursday, August 1 2024, where the Australian team is a favorite for gold.
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Pallister’s impressive performance at the 2022 World Championships, where she secured third place and became the first female swimmer to win three freestyle gold medals at a single short course world championships, had set high expectations for her Olympic performance.
She set a new Australian record in the 1500m freestyle with a time of 15 minutes 21.43 seconds, finishing over 25 seconds ahead of her rivals.
The Australian Olympic Committee and fans are now awaiting updates on Pallister’s condition and her potential participation in the relay event.
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