Covid Protocols See Olympic 200 Free Champion Tom Dean Withdraw From World Short-Course

Jul 27, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Tom Dean (GBR) celebrates after winning the men's 200m freestyle final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Dean: Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports

Olympic 200 free champion Tom Dean has pulled out of the World Short-Course Championships in Abu Dhabi after coming into close contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19.

That confirms reports on Friday that stated Dean was out of the meet although British Swimming told Swimming World that he was self-isolating and the results of a PCR test would determine his next steps.

Dean had withdrawn from the 200 free at the meet on Friday in which teammate Duncan Scott – suffering from an infection – came fourth with Hwang Sunwoo of South Korea atop the podium.

Now though the double Olympic gold medallist has posted to social media, saying:

Gutted to announce I’ve had to pull out of the World Champs and fly home from Abu Dhabi after being identified as a Covid close contact.

Not how I expected my 2021 year to end but I couldn’t have asked for much more from this season! ??

Roll on 2022! ? pic.twitter.com/srUtlio1qE

— Tom Dean (@tomdean00) December 19, 2021

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