Tokyo, Japan, July 18, 2021: Korea’s IOC Member Ryu Seung Min has spoken of his “great disappointment” for testing positive for covid-19 on his arrival in Japan for the Tokyo Olympics.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, July 17, the 2004 Athens Olympics table tennis champion relayed the news to the Olympic sports family.
“It is with great disappointment that I have to inform you that I will not be able to attend the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 at present,” he wrote.
“Despite having been fully vaccinated with two doses, and I got the two times negative result in covid-19 test and having taken my departure tests when leaving Korea, however I tested positive for covid-19 upon arrival at Narita airport this afternoon (Saturday).
“The protocol worked really well. I was immediately brought to the official isolation facility where I will wait until I have the official clearance and it is safe that I leave the room. I am completely asymptomatic which probably has to do with the fact that I am vaccinated.”
The four-time Olympian and OCA Executive Board member, who also won silver and bronze medals in 2012 and 2008, respectively, added: “I apologise to the Organising Committee, our hosts here in Japan and the IOC for the inconvenience I have caused.
“I want to thank everyone for their diligent work. My case is just another proof that the system put in place to protect all of us is effective.”