Winter Olympics 2022 - Natalia Maliszewska tests positive again after unexpected release from Covid isolation

Updated 05/02/2022 at 11:34 GMT

Poland’s Natalia Maliszewska was released from isolation in a dramatic twist after it was announced she would miss out on the 500m short track qualifying round due to testing positive for coronavirus – only to then test positive again in a bizarre palaver on the first day of the Olympic Games.

DEBRECEN, HUNGARY - NOVEMBER 21: Natalia Maliszewska of Poland celebrates winning bronce medal at medal cermony during the ISU World Cup Short Track at Fönix hall on November 21, 2021 in Debrecen, Hungary. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke - International

Image credit: Eurosport

Polish short track speed skater Natalia Maliszewska, who was unexpectedly released from Covid isolation hours before a qualifying race, has tested positive for Covid again and will not compete on Saturday.

Maliszewska tested positive for the virus on January 30, and had originally been ruled out of the 500m short track qualifying event by the Polish Olympic Committee (POC).

However just hours after the original announcement, eyebrows were raised when the POC issued a further statement, confirming Maliszewska’s release from the isolation hotel on Friday night and her intention to compete in the short track event.

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The statement read: "We would like to inform you that thanks to the actions and efforts of the management of the Polish Olympic Mission and the Polish Olympic Committee, Natalia Maliszewska has been released from an isolation hotel and is already in the Olympic Village in Beijing!"

But there was another twist as Maliszewska then tested positive again just hours before the 500m on Saturday, ruling her out once more.

Maliszewska recorded a negative test two days ago, but followed this up with two more positive tests.

The head of the POC, Konrad Niedźwiedzki, had taken to Twitter to express his original disappointment at the news that Maliszewska would most likely have to miss the race.

"Unfortunately, we are losing this fight, Natalia Maliszewska positive - without the possibility to start at 500m (on Saturday),” Niedźwiedzki explained.

The 500m is Maliszewska's favoured distance and Poland’s most likely chance to claim a gold medal on the ice in Beijing.

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