Another U.S athlete will miss out on the Tokyo Olympics.
Katie Lou Samuelson, who was instrumental in the U.S. qualifying for the first-ever Olympic 3×3 women’s basketball competition, was in COVID-19 health and safety protocols on Saturday and will not compete in Tokyo, USA Basketball announced.
The team’s first game is scheduled for Saturday against France.
“Our hearts are broken for Lou. We thank her for her endless commitment to building up USA Basketball 3×3 & we will miss her dearly in Tokyo,” USA Basketball tweeted on Monday.
Samuelson is currently a member of the Seattle Storm and was part of the team that qualified for the Olympics alongside Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum, Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson and Dallas Wings guard Allisha Gray. Samuelson will be replaced by Aces guard Jackie Young for the games.
Samuelson posted on Instagram that she was “fully vaccinated and took every precaution” against COVID-19.
“Competing in the Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and I hope someday soon, I can comeback to realize that dream,” Samuelson wrote. “I wish nothing but the best to my USAB teammates as they go out there and crush it. I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.”
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Samuelson is one of an increasing number of athletes and others in Tokyo who have been placed in COVID-19 protocols. On Sunday, U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff said she tested positive for COVID-19 and would withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics, while an alternate on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in Tokyo tested positive for the virus. Tokyo Olympic organizers said on Saturday a “games-concerned personnel” member in the Olympic Village also tested positive for COVID-19.
A total of 55 people connected with Tokyo 2020 had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Sunday, according to organizers.
Follow Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jord_mendoza.
