NEW YORK, Aug 26, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The agent for Jamaican sprint king Usain
Bolt confirmed on Tuesday that the eight-time Olympic gold medallist has
tested positive for the coronavirus.
“The Covid test was positive, but Usain is not showing any symptoms,” Ricky
Simms told American news channel CNN in an email.
Simms’ statement confirms earlier reports by Jamaican media that the
retired sprinter tested positive just days after he celebrated his 34th
birthday with a lavish party amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, Bolt announced on Instagram that he had quarantined himself,
pending the result of the test he took on Saturday.
Bolt didn’t confirm his test result, but he urged anyone who had been in
contact with him to go into quarantine.
“I did a test on Saturday to leave (Jamaica) because I have work,” Bolt
said in a video posted on Twitter. “I am trying to be responsible so I am
going to stay in and be safe.
“Also, I am having no symptoms, I will quarantine myself and wait on the
confirmation to see what is the protocol and to see how I go about
quarantining myself from the Ministry of Health.
“Until then, I will call my friends and tell them once they came in contact
with me to be safe, quarantine and take it easy,” said Bolt.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Monday that police are
investigating the circumstances surrounding Bolt’s birthday party.
“There are reports of an activity related to Usain Bolt,” Holness told a
virtual news conference.
“These matters are all being thoroughly investigated and the police will
give a report on these matters in near future.”
Bolt last competed internationally at the 2017 World Championships in
London. He and partner Kasi Bennet welcomed the birth of a daughter in May.