Athletes competing with COVID, restrictions a thing of the past at Paris Olympics

Many hoped the Paris Olympics would be the post-COVID Games. Instead they seem to be the “who cares about COVID” Games.

Noah Lyles won a bronze with the virus in front of tens of thousands of spectators, and dozens of other athletes at the Games have tested positive. But organizers have only issued health recommendations, and no restrictions, allowing athletes to compete if they wish and are able to.

This comes in sharp contrast with the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, which had to be delayed by a year because of the pandemic and were held under intense COVID regulations — and no fans allowed at any events. Six months later, the Winter Games in Beijing had even stricter protocols because of China’s zero-tolerance policy.

In Paris, the Olympics recall pre-COVID times. French people have revived the double-cheeked greeting embrace — “la bise.” Fans joyfully reach out at venues to slap athletes’ hands. Masks are rarely seen in crowds of supporters, and people from across the world came to France without proof of vaccines or negative virus tests.

The World Health Organization said earlier this week that at least 40 athletes at the Olympics had tested positive for the virus, amid growing cases worldwide.

WATCH | American star Noah Lyles wins bronze in men’s 200m:

On Thursday night, Lyles was carted off the track in a wheelchair after he finished third in the 200 meters. He then said he had tested positive for COVID two days before. On Friday, he sported a mask while accepting his bronze medal, waving to fans while keeping a distance from the other winners.

Last week, British star Adam Peaty tested positive less than 24 hours after claiming a swimming silver medal. He said he first began feeling ill a day earlier ahead of the 100-meter breaststroke final.

The Australian delegation in Paris said five COVID-hit players on its women’s water polo team were clear to practice when they feel well enough to train.

“[COVID] is being treated like any other respiratory disease,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said Friday. “It is being treated like flu now, so there is no obligation for any special measures or notifications.”

COVID is no longer a global health emergency according to the WHO, and with much higher…