Statement - Steve Arnold

Steve Arnold will not compete in the Men’s Sprint Biathlon at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games on Saturday March 5 after testing positive for COVID-19 prior to his planned travel to China.

Under the principles of the Playbooks, all Games participants must return two negative COVID-19 (PCR) tests within 96 hours of departure of their flight and Steve will remain in the UK working closely with the ParalympicsGB medical team while all options are assessed in consultation with him.

Phil Smith, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, said: “I know this is bitterly disappointing news for Steve after all the hard work he has put in to make the team in such a demanding sport.

“The health and wellbeing of athletes is our top priority and we have put in place a comprehensive welfare plan to ensure Steve has all the support he needs as we continue to work with him to assess whether he is able to compete in events later in the competition schedule.”