Fencing National Team, All Except 3 Female Epee Players Test Negative for COVID-19 (Comprehensive)

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] It has been confirmed that there are no additional COVID-19 cases in the national fencing team, where three new coronavirus infection cases were reported.

According to the Korea Fencing Federation on the 20th, 45 team members, including athletes and coaching staff, underwent COVID-19 testing, and 42 tested negative except for three female ?p?e fencers. One person's result was pending as of the morning, but the final result was confirmed negative in the afternoon notification.

The three female ?p?e fencers who tested positive previously participated in the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Grand Prix held recently in Budapest, Hungary, returned to Korea on the 15th, and then learned of their infection. Subsequently, all members of the fencing national team, including male and female athletes who traveled to the European competition with the confirmed cases, underwent testing and are currently in self-quarantine.

Among the confirmed cases, one athlete traveled to Taean for a one-night, two-day trip with an acquaintance starting on the 17th. Upon hearing that a teammate had tested positive, the athlete took a test in the area and was confirmed positive. This led to criticism that the athlete violated self-quarantine regulations.

The Fencing Federation issued a press release on the day, stating, "There were no issues with this athlete in COVID-19 tests before and after departure, and no symptoms were present," and explained, "After the team returned, they were given a vacation and only advised to individually be cautious about COVID-19 and manage their condition; there was no instruction for self-quarantine."

The federation also emphasized, "There is no regulation that asymptomatic general individuals returning from overseas must be forcibly quarantined for two weeks," adding, "While it is regrettable that this athlete was negligent in individual COVID-19 management, they focused solely on rest for recharging and did not violate any regulations that did not exist in the first place."

They further stated, "The athlete has been deeply hurt by false information and negative public opinion," and appealed to the public, "Please offer warm comfort and encouragement to the athletes who could not avoid COVID-19 during their preparation for the Tokyo Olympics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.