The United Arab Emirates (UAE) says it did not bar Nigerian
athletes from participating in the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships in
Dubai.
Athletes from Nigeria, who are billed to take part in the
swimming contest, were reportedly denied access by the UAE authorities.
The development, which comes at a time when Nigeria and the
UAE had a brief diplomatic row, had elicited criticism.
But in a statement signed by the event’s local organising
committee (LOC) on Sunday, the UAE denied any form of
discrimination against athletes and national teams participating in the
competition.
The UAE said part of its rules of taking part in the contest
is that “anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, including those in
contact with someone who has tested positive, must quarantine immediately.”
According to the statement, the directive applies to all
national teams participating in the competition.
It added that the measure was taken to contain the spread of
the coronavirus pandemic
“Since the very beginning of the pandemic, the UAE has
implemented health and safety procedures to protect and safeguard the lives and
wellbeing of its citizens, residents and visitors,” the statement read.
“The event’s local organizing committee (LOC) remains
steadfast in its commitment to adhere to these procedures, based on the local
health authority regulations.
“As per the safety protocols, anyone who has tested positive
for COVID-19, including those in contact with someone who has tested positive,
must quarantine immediately. Following robust testing procedures at the World
Swimming Championships 2021, the necessary rules were effectively adopted.
“These rules have been applied to all national teams without
exceptions. Any claims of discrimination against those who tested positive for
COVID-19, including those in close contact with someone who did, are categorically
untrue and without merit.”
It remains to be seen if the Nigerian athletes allegedly
denied access to participate in the swimming contest tested positive for the
virus or had close contact with someone who did.
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