U.S. pole vaulter Kendricks out after positive test

12:35 AM ET

  • ESPN News Services

American world-champion pole vaulter Sam Kendricks will miss the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19.

Kendricks’ father posted on social media that his son had no symptoms but was informed while in Tokyo that he tested positive and was out of the competition.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee confirmed the news on Thursday. The committee said Kendricks has been placed in isolation at a hotel, and is being supported by the USOPC and USA Track and Field.

Kendricks won the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics and took gold at the past two world championships. He holds the American record at 19 feet, 10½ inches.

Argentinian pole vaulter German Chiaraviglio also will miss the Olympics after a positive test, he said on social media.

In the meantime, members of the Australian track and field team were briefly asked to isolate in their rooms after three members of the team had contact with Kendricks. After the three returned negative tests, most of the team was allowed to resume regular activities. The three will remain under stricter protocols for the time being.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.