Three years after the Tokyo Olympics were held without fans and under strict precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has again impacted athletes at the Paris Games, leading to withdrawals and the reintroduction of masks for some.

Several athletes have tested positive, including Australian swimmer Lani Pallister, who withdrew from the women's 1,500 meters freestyle and has been instructed to isolate.

British swimmer Adam Peaty tested positive a day after narrowly missing out on gold in the 100 meters breaststroke, sharing silver with American Nic Fink. Peaty, who felt unwell on the morning of the race, hopes to compete in relays later this week.

"The team spirit is really high," Peaty's British teammate Matt Richards said after his 100m freestyle heat on Tuesday. "We've done a good job taking all the precautions we can. Adam's okay, just a bit of a cold. We're here to race."

Multiple Australian women's water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 before the opening ceremony, leading to their isolation.

The Tokyo Olympics were delayed a year due to COVID-19, while the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics had strict precautions. Paris is the first post-pandemic Olympics, with no strict protocols or restrictions around COVID-19.

"We have a protocol that any athlete who tests positive has to wear a mask, and we remind everyone to follow best practices," said Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 chief communications director. "COVID cases are quite low in France."

British swimmer Jacob Whittle said his team is taking additional precautions. "We're hand sanitizing and wearing masks everywhere we can," Whittle said. "We are being extra cautious in communal spaces to avoid catching or spreading the virus."