Tokyo Olympics: Liz Cambage withdraws, Alex de Minaur out with Covid-19

Basketballer Liz Cambage has withdrawn from the Games while tennis star Alex de Minaur is out after catching Covid-19.

Liz Cambage is out of the Tokyo Games. Picture: Getty Images

Opals star Liz Cambage has withdrawn from the of the Tokyo Olympics citing mental health struggles.

While winning a gold medal for Australia was one of her “biggest dreams”, the 29-year-old said she couldn’t take to the Games while relying on daily medication.

“I’m a long way from where I want and need to be,” Cambage said it a statement. “It’s no secret that in the past I’ve struggled with my mental health and recently I’ve been really worried about heading into a ‘bubble’ Olympics … it’s honestly terrifying for me. The past month I have been having panic attacks, not sleeping and not eating.

“I need to take care of myself mentally and physically. It breaks my heart to announce I’m withdrawing from the Olympics, but I think it’s best for the Opals and myself.”

pic.twitter.com/QheDPQ5tBZ

— Elizabeth Cambage (@ecambage) July 16, 2021

Another Olympian and one of Australia’s medal hopefuls, tennis player Alex de Minaur, has been ruled out after testing positive to coronavirus while preparing for the Games in Spain.

“We are very disappointed for Alex and he is shattered at not being able to come,” said Australian chef de mission Ian Chesterman.

Alex de Minaur is out of the Olympics after catching Covid-19. Picture: AAP

Earlier, Cambage’s involvement was in doubt following an alleged “incident’’ that occurred prior to the start of a friendly match against Nigeria in the United States.

Sources have told ESPN that Cambage was involved in a physical altercation, and testy verbal exchanges with Nigerian players on Thursday.

Australian basketball star Liz Cambage. Picture: AFP

Chesterman said he was awaiting a full report from Basketball Australia, but believed Cambadge was also carrying an injury, which could have also impacted on her Olympic plans.

The men’s basketball team is also caught up in a covid scare, after two members of Team USA have been put in isolation. The upcoming final exhibition match against the US is now in extreme doubt.

The positive covid test is a devastating blow for de Minaur, who was excited about his Olympic chances in singles, and was also slated to play doubles with John Peers.

De Minaur’s Adelaide-based agent Andy Craig said the nation’s top-ranked man was shattered to miss the Olympics.

“Alex is absolutely gutted to be ruled out of the Olympics after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result,” he said.

“He is feeling fine, but is disappointed after working really hard to get himself in top shape for Tokyo and was following COVID-19 protocols.

“Alex loves representing his country and was really looking forward to representing Australia for the first time at an Olympic Games.

“He will be cheering on his fellow Aussie tennis players and the rest of the Australian competitors in Tokyo.”

Peers faces a nervous time because the International Tennis Federation may award de Minaur’s vacant slot to an athlete from another country, destroying his Olympic dream.

De Minaur had gone to his Spanish home after Wimbledon, having tested negative on July 5. The Australian team doctor David Hughes said de Minaur tested positive on July 10 and subsequently tested positive again.

“We are very upset for Alex that he misses out,’’ said Dr Hughes, adding that de Minaur has had no contact with any other players since he tested negative on July 5.

At Wimbledon de Minaur said he had invited other Australian tennis players to his Spanish home to rest and train before travelling to Tokyo but it is unclear if anyone had taken up the offer.

Chesterman said in Tokyo on Friday: “we know the whole Olympic movement needs to make sure that when athletes arrive in Japan they are of covid, we need to protect this bubble. Alex has been caught up in the system, but it does show the system is working. Alex understands the reasons why he cant be with us.”

Dr Hughes said the situation with the Boomers rested with the Japanese health authority, which requires two tests in the last 96 hours before arrival and another test at the airport.

“They are going above and beyond the Japanese requirements by having PCR tests everyday in the lead to their departure so if they continue to test negative I think they will satisfy the Japanese criteria.”

He added: “it is not that you would assume that a person has tested positive that suddenly means everybody is going to test positive in that match – we haven’t see n that in sporting events over the last 18 months.’’

Additional reporting: Courtney Walsh