BREAKING NEWS
Katie Parker will see today in the slalom after passing covid test.
Australian alpine skier Katie Parker is free to make her Olympic debut after consecutive PCR test results came in negative overnight.
Katie will compete in the Women’s Slalom with the first runs starting at 11.50am Beijing time and a second run this afternoon at 3.40pm.
Her delayed departure from the United States due to ongoing positive tests resulted in her name coming off the starters list for Monday’s Giant Slalom.
However, after returning the required negative tests for travel, she boarded the plane hopeful of making the Women’s Slalom competition.
The alpine athlete spent the night in a hotel in Zhangjiakou after arriving at Beijing Airport yesterday where she returned a positive test.
Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Geoff Lipshut says it’s a huge relief for Katie and the entire Team that she can now make her debut as an Olympian.
“We are thrilled for her after a very difficult ride. It’s a big ask for her today to step up to this level of competition off the back of this whole experience but she has shown incredible mental toughness and determination.
“She stepped onto that plane knowing there was a real possibility she may be positive at the other end, but here we are this morning waking up to news that further resting has come in negative.
“While we had alerted the Medical Expert Panel of a potential submission, the process now allows for her to take her place at the start line.
“We wish her all the very best today. She will become an Olympian and we are delighted that this dream can come alive,” Mr Lipshut concluded.
------------------------------------------------
Earlier story before news
Australian alpine skier Katie Parker is now isolating in a hotel room in Zhangjiakou after an initial PCR test at Beijing airport came back positive.
The results of a second confirmatory test will determine what will happen next. A third test will follow. Those results will be known this morning
Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Geoff Lipshut says Katie has been told of her result and the process ahead.
On Channel 7 this morning Geoff Lipshut said the results should be known within a few hours. If she returns a negative it will be a rush to the slalom venue and virtually straight into the start gate at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre. Not the best lead up to an event for Parker.
Parker has recently contracted covid and delayed her departure from her Utah base in the United States awaiting a series of negative tests which she accomplished. The tests at Beijing are more sensitive hence the positive test. It was a similar situation with ice curler Tahli Gill.
“Katie has always understood this was a possibility. We are doing all we can to give her the opportunity to compete tomorrow but there’s a process to go through. We are still hopeful," said Lipshut late last night.
“She is attempting to make her Olympic debut and she has earned her place on the Team.
“We have had the benefit of dealing with the Medical Expert Panel (MEP) and the Public Health System with our previous experience with Tahli Gill, where we had a good outcome.
“However, if Katie returns further positive tests, it will be impossible for her to compete in the Women’s Slalom tomorrow. That is the unfortunate reality. It is a risk she understood before travel.
“A further positive test with CT values that are low also means there’s every chance she will be required to go into an isolation hotel, given she is not symptomatic.
“We will be doing everything in our power to ensure that Katie receives all the support and care possible whatever the outcome.
“Our focus is ensuring she is well looked after. We have brought Katie to Zhangjiakou so we can do our own testing and get a clear picture of what her situation is. We will be keeping her and her support network fully informed.”