4 S'pore national swimmers test positive for Covid-19 at Fina World Championships in Abu Dhabi

SINGAPORE — Four of the Singapore's national swimmers who are in Abu Dhabi for a swimming competition have tested positive for Covid-19.

The Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) said on Thursday (Dec 16) that it had been informed by Fina, the international swimming federation, about the results after a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was done as part of the testing protocols at the Fina World Championships (25m) 2021.

The four are among 14 swimmers from Singapore taking part in the competition that runs from Dec 16 to 21, SSA said in a press statement that was also posted on its Facebook page.

It did not name the swimmers who were infected.

In a Facebook post on Dec 9, SSA said that the 14 swimmers headed to the meet are: Ardi Azman, Teong Tzen Wei, Pang Sheng Jun, Darren Chua, Glen Lim, Maximillian Ang, Chan Zi Yi, Mikkel Lee, Nur Marina Chan, Ong Jung Yi, Jamie Koo, Ashley Lim, Amanda Lim and Quah Jing Wen.

"SSA is keeping in close contact with the swimmers, their families and the authorities, providing all the necessary support to ensure that the health and safety of our swimmers are taken care of," it said on Tuesday.

Those who have tested positive have been moved to a dedicated quarantine facility while the rest of the Singapore contingent are “currently self-quarantined”.

Fina informed SSA that Singapore will not be able to compete at the championship as the contingent is in close contact with the positive cases.

SSA said that it will abide by the existing health protocols of Abu Dhabi.

“(We are) currently making travel arrangements for members of the contingent who have not tested positive to fly back to Singapore,” it said, adding that its technical director Sonya Porter will remain in Abu Dhabi to look after the affected swimmers.

Ms Porter will then fly back to Singapore with the swimmers once they are allowed to travel.