Olympics Overnight: COVID-19 scare forces 63 athletes into lockdown as cases surge in Tokyo, Canada scores bronze in rowing

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This article was published 29/07/2021 (1503 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rise and shine, Olympic fans. Here’s what you missed overnight and need to know about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics this morning.

For all the Star-related Summer Games content, visit our Olympics page here.

After a magnificent start to Tokyo 2020, Team Canada was relatively quiet on Day 6, winning just one medal.

However, the hard-won bronze for rowing duo Hillary Janssens and Caileigh Filmer pushed Canada’s count into double digits — with all ten being won by women. Judoka Shady El-Nahas nearly got the men on the board, but dropped the bronze-medal match to the reigning world champion. Penny Oleksiak and company also narrowly missed the podium in the women’s 200-metre relay, but still managed to set a new Canadian record.

Meanwhile, a raging COVID-19 outbreak in Tokyo seems to be knocking on the door of the Olympic village. Following contact with an American pole vaulter who tested positive for the virus, the entire Australian track and field team was forced into temporary lockdown. The scare came as Tokyo officials reported record-breaking new cases in the city.

Here’s a look at everything you missed while you were sleeping:

A COVID scare inside the games as the pandemic rages outside

There’s an Olympic-sized elephant in the room at these Summer Games.

On Thursday, Tokyo reported 3,865 new COVID-19 cases. That’s three straight days of record-breaking case numbers, and double the number that was reported one week ago.

“We have never experienced the expansion of the infections of this magnitude,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters. He said the new cases were soaring not only in the Tokyo area but across the country.

While Olympic organizers have done a relatively good job at protecting athletes from COVID-19 so far, a major scare on Day 6 offered a reminder of how easily things can spiral out of control.

For several hours on Thursday, Australia’s track and field team — 63 athletes — were placed in lockdown after coming into contact with American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks, who tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from the competition.

Fortunately, the bulk of the team was cleared to compete after testing was conducted.

The International Olympic Committee says it sees no link between the rise of COVID cases in Japan and Tokyo 2020.

For the latest coronavirus news, visit here.

Rowers Janssens and Filmer battle their way to bronze

“It’s been a long extra year,” said an emotional Hillary Janssens, as she and her teammate Caileigh Filmer fought back the tears following their third place finish in women’s pair rowing. “We’re just really happy we got here and were able to come away with it.”

The country’s rowers are looking to rebound after a disastrous showing at the 2016 Rio Games that saw the program secure just one medal. Canada’s women’s eight will race for a gold Friday.

Read the full column from the Star’s Dave Feschuk here.

Women set Canadian record in 200-metre relay

It’s tough to overstate just how competitive women’s swimming is at these Olympic games. On Thursday morning, the world record for the women’s 200-metre swimming relay was 7:41.50. That record was obliterated by three separate teams in Tokyo, with China setting a new record of 7:40.33.

Not that it makes it any less disappointing for Canada’s relay team — made up of Summer McIntosh, Rebecca Smith, Kayla Sanchez and Penny Oleksiak — who finished just off of the podium after setting a new Canadian record of 7:43.77. China finished in first, the U.S. in second and Australian in third.

Still, the team has plenty to be proud of, especially 14-year-old Summer McIntosh, who swam her length in an impressive 1:55.74.

“1:55.74 for a 14-year-old is no joke,” said Kayla Sanchez of her young teammate. “That is insanity. Really proud of her.”

McIntosh also set a personal best in the 800-metre freestyle, finishing first in her heat. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to advance to the final.

Shady El-Nahas falls short in men’s judo

El-Nahas narrowly lost his repechage match to Jorge Fonseca, the reigning World Champion from Portugal, finishing in fifth place in men’s 100-kilogram Judo.

The loss ends a magical run by the 23-year-old judoka from Mississauga, who nearly became the first Canadian man to medal in Tokyo.

More Canadian results

Canada’s women’s basketball team bounced back from an initial loss against Serbia to pull off a commanding 74-53 win against South Korea. Canada, ranked fourth heading into Tokyo, closes the group stage against No. 3 Spain on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Canada’s women’s rugby sevens team had a decidely mixed Thursday, crushing Brazil 33-0 in the opening match of the group play stage before being routed by Fiji 26-12 later in the day.

Canada’s beach volleyball duo of Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan improved their record to 3-0 with a straight-sets victory over Switzerland’s Joana Heidrich and Anouk Vergé-Dépré. The Canadian duo will move on to the knockout stage without having dropped a set.

Finally, Canadian golfers Corey Conners and MacKenzie Hughes are both just six strokes back after shooting matching 2-under scores in the first round.

Read Adam Stanley’s story on the Canadian duo.

Fiji’s rugby team goes viral following jubilant rendition of the national anthem

Fiji’s men’s seven secured their second-straight Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, and just the second medal in their country’s history. Following the emotional win — the athletes have been in a bubble since Easter and haven’t seen their family — the Flying Fijans belted out a rousing rendition of their national anthem in a touching moment that has since gone viral.

And they’re certainly celebrating in Fiji. As NBC reporter Sam Brock points out, Fiji’s prime minister declared a multi-day national holiday after the team won gold in 2016.

American swimmer Caeleb Dressel feels some feelings after setting new Olympic record

Dressel got emotional after swimming the 100-metre freestyle in just 47.02, a new Olympic record.

A big thanks to this guy

PHOTO OF THE DAY

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR TEAM CANADA ON DAY 8:

Rowing, women’s eights, 9:05 p.m. ET

Drew Mechielsen competes in the BMX racing semifinal, 9:15 p.m. ET

Defending champion Penny Oleksiak will compete in the 100-metre freestyle final, 10 p.m. ET

Rosie MacLennan will compete in trampoline, starts at midnight ET

Runner Mohammed Ahmed will compete in the 10,000-metre final, 7:30 a.m. ET on Friday

The Star in Tokyo:

Bruce Arthur: Canada just short of 4×200 relay podium in Olympic swimming, Summer McIntosh shows future promise

Rosi DiManno: Canadian women’s rugby sevens team moves on from upheaval, splits first two games at Tokyo Olympics

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With files from Star wire services.