No internet, bad food and dirty rooms: Olympic athletes struggle in COVID quarantine

A health worker collects swab samples to test for COVID-19 from a participant of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.

Jewel Samad / Jewel Samad

BEIJING — Olympic athletes who test positive for COVID-19 and forced to isolate in Beijing are reporting serious issues with their quarantine conditions.

Team officials from Germany, Belgium, and Russia said their athletes are facing nightmarish situations, like poor to no internet connection, bad food, and no training equipment, in the so-called quarantine hotels set up by Chinese officials.

No access to fitness equipment or struggling to communicate with their teams are especially problematic for athletes trying to stay in tip-top shape before they compete.