Parkite Casey Dawson barred from Olympics after Covid rule change

Long track speedskater Casey Dawson (center), graduate of Park City High School, seen here at the Utah Olympic Oval among his many fans, was planning to represent the United States in his first Olympics. Photo: Courtesy of the Dawson Family

PARK CITY, Utah  — Park City High School graduate Casey Dawson was unable to compete in his individual 5000-meter speedskating race in what was supposed to be his first Olympics, due to a rule change over COVID-19 testing.

“Week by week, I just kept testing positive and positive; no symptoms at all,” he told KSL.

He eventually tested negative once the American team left for Beijing, and should have been able to still go. However, he then learned of what appeared to be a new rule change.

“You have to do four consecutive negative tests. I was told I had to do two consecutive tests, which is on the rulebook.”

Dawson was also informed that the testing site he was attending wasn’t officially approved, despite him being told that it was previously.

In China, where the Games are being held under some of the world’s strictest pandemic rules, athletes are facing a reshaped Olympic Games.