(Beijing) The Canadian mixed curling team, made up of Rachel Homan and John Morris, will not face Australia on Sunday evening.
Posted at 12:18 a.m.
Player Tahli Gill has presented a series of positive tests for COVID-19, forcing the Australian mixed curling team to be withdrawn from the Beijing Olympics.
The Australians were to face Switzerland on Sunday afternoon, before crossing swords with Homan and Morris.
The Australian Olympic Committee said it was trying to arrange for Gill and Dean Hewitt to return to the country, rather than leaving Gill in solitary confinement at the hotel. They will miss their final two games and finish the round robin with an 0-7 record.
Homan and Morris will play for victory against the Czech Republic on Sunday afternoon. The Canadian tandem started the day with a 4-2 record.
Gill tested positive for COVID-19 before the start of the Games. Current tests alternated between negative and positive. She had been allowed to take part in the competition under the close contact agreements and after discussions between the International Olympic Committee and the organizers of the Games.
Attempts to bring Gill back to competition have been rebuffed by the IOC and health authorities, according to Australian Olympic team leader Geoff Lipshut.
“We argued that Tahli was at the end of the infection cycle, but other positive results presented early this morning put an end to our hopes. Rather than staying in isolation, we now have the option of sending Tahli and Dean home,” Lipshut said.