‘It’s inhumane’: Aussie Olympian Skye Nicolson slams quarantine cruelty

Aussie boxer Skye Nicolson is back from Tokyo and says it’s “inhumane” how some of our Olympians are being treated by the SA government.

Australian boxer Skye Nicolson says it’s “inhumane” some Olympians are looking at 28 days in quarantine because of harsh border restrictions following their return from Tokyo.

Sixteen South Australian athletes completing their 14 days of hotel quarantine in Sydney are being confronted with the prospect of a further two weeks in isolation when they head home from NSW.

This 28-day quarantine would be enforced despite all the athletes being fully vaccinated.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has asked without success for the South Australian government to change its mind on forcing those athletes to be locked down for four weeks in total, rightfully saying it could have a detrimental effect on their mental health.

Nicolson, who is in the early days of her hotel quarantine in Brisbane, understands Olympians should isolate for 14 days just like every other returning traveller but says doing two weeks in Sydney, then another 14 days in South Australia, simply isn’t fair.

“That to me is so inhumane it’s not even funny,” Nicolson told news.com.au.

“If it was me, there’s no way I’d be flying home. I would be staying in Brisbane or wherever until that quarantine rule gets dropped and then go home because I think 28 days in quarantine, that’s just nuts.

“The 14 days that we’re all doing, I understand, but for them to have to do another 14 on top is just crazy.

“I feel like it’s so inhumane. It is. Twenty-eight days — that’s inhumane.

“These people have just gone and represented their country. They’ve done their 14-day quarantine. They’ve been tested multiple, multiple times, they’re vaccinated, and now you want them to sit in hotel quarantine for another 14 days? That makes no sense to me.”

Nicolson won her first fight at her debut Olympics but was heartbroken to lose her second, breaking down in tears after a split decision on points went against her.

While in Tokyo, Australia’s Olympians were forced to live in a strict bio-secure bubble. They underwent daily Covid-19 tests, were not allowed to mingle with athletes from other countries, could only leave the Athletes Village to train and compete and wore masks at all times when not training, competing or eating.

Nicolson’s view was widely supported by people on social media, while AOC boss Matt Carroll called the decision by the South Australian government “cruel and uncaring”.

“While other countries are celebrating the return of their athletes, we are subjecting ours to the most cruel and uncaring treatment. They are being punished for proudly representing their country with distinction at the Olympic Games,” Carroll said.

“We are all promoting the obvious benefits of vaccination, but this important layer of protection is not working in favour of these athletes, given this decision. By any measure, this group of returning Olympians is extremely low risk.

“Not only are our Olympians fully vaccinated, but they have also been living in a highly controlled bubble in Tokyo, taking the upmost precautions – tested daily over many weeks.”

Skye Nicolson (right) is already looking ahead to Paris.

Dr David Hughes, the Australian Institute of Sport’s chief medical officer, is worried about the impact an extra period of quarantine will have on the returning athletes’ mental health.

“To have individuals quarantined for such a lengthy period of time is in my opinion unreasonable and cannot be scientifically justified,” Dr Hughes said.

“It poses a significant risk to the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals concerned.

“National Cabinet took a position that a double quarantine arrangement was unacceptable. Every Covid-safe procedure we have asked the Olympians to undergo, they have complied with.

“They can safely transfer to their home states after the mandatory hotel quarantine period without interacting with the public.

“Athletes subject to home quarantine will not be permitted a welcome-home hug. Either the athlete’s family must move away, the athlete must find a way of isolating from the family or the entire family goes into quarantine.

“That is not an acceptable option for someone who is fully vaccinated and who has already just completed two weeks’ quarantine.”