Anton Cooper is out of the Commonwealth Games.
Double Commonwealth Games medallist Anton Cooper has withdrawn from the men’s cross-country mountain bike race after testing positive for Covid-19.
The 2014 champion and 2018 silver medallist was eyeing a third successive Commonwealth Games medal and is “absolutely gutted” to have to withdraw.
“I had put a focus on competing in Birmingham over UCI World Cup races that clash. I injured my wrist in a recent World Cup but was preparing well and to miss out like this is really disappointing,” Cooper said.
His symptoms are “pretty mild” but he does not feel up to racing, a decision supported by the New Zealand team’s doctors.
“I’ve taken so much care not to get Covid for several months, so this is disappointing when it means missing out on representing my country.
“I will be making sure I’m supporting the rest of the New Zealand team from my isolation room.”
A New Zealand Olympic Committee statement said Cooper is being supported in isolation in a hotel just outside the athletes’ village, and there are no immediate concerns for his health.
He tested negative on arrival into the athletes’ village and began to isolate prior to testing positive.
No other team members are symptomatic and close contacts have returned multiple negative tests for Covid-19, the NZOC said.
Chef de Mission Nigel Avery said: “I absolutely feel for Anton, he’s a fantastic cyclist and to have to rule himself out like this is a gutting.
“We commend him for his vigilance and thank him for taking immediate steps to isolate, even before he tested positive. I’ve been in touch with him and he’s starting to feel a bit better which is good news.”
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