By Hanna Park
A U.S. Olympic beach volleyball player tested positive for COVID-19 while in Japan, becoming the first Team USA athlete set to compete in the games to be diagnosed with the virus, NBC News reported Wednesday.
Taylor Crabb was diagnosed with the virus over the weekend shortly after he landed in Japan. The news comes ahead of the Games, officially opening on Friday and kicking off with host team Japan defeating Australia 8-1 in women’s softball.
On Monday, an alternate of the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team Kara Eaker also tested positive and was placed in quarantine along with another alternate, Leanne Wong.
Crabb could soon be heading home to Hawaii as he is no longer allowed to participate in the Olympics.
Crabb previously almost missed the Games due to a two-year suspension from the team in 2017 for misconduct and drinking with an underaged girl, The Orange County Register reported. In 2019, he received a second suspension after violating his first by coaching a volleyball camp for girls.
Tri Bourne is expected to replace Crabb in the Games.
His brother, Trevor Crabb, who is also a professional beach volleyball player, named the situation “terrible," adding that he believes his brother is “fine and healthy and should be allowed to play, in my personal opinion,” according to NBC Los Angeles.
The organizing committee has not ruled out the last-minute cancellation of the Games and will continue to monitor the situation as dozens of athletes and staff tested positive for the virus.