New Delhi: Dozens of athletes thrown into virus isolation at China's zero-Covid Winter Olympics have laid bare their misery -- describing 'crying like crazy' after being hauled out of bed at 3 a.m. before being fed miserable food in rooms too small for exercise, a report said.
Beijing is attempting to hold a virus-free event in the midst of a pandemic, cutting off competitors and their teams in a bubble where tests must be taken every day, with anyone who tests positive dragged off to isolation.
But conditions in isolation are reportedly dire. Valeria Vasnetsova, a Russian biathlete, claims she was served the same inedible meal three times a day for five days in a row - and that it left her so emaciated that her 'bones (were) sticking out', the report said.
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Head of German team Dirk Schimmelpfennig also blasted 'unacceptable' conditions for his athletes, saying isolation rooms are too small, not hygienic enough, the food is poor and PCR tests that athletes must take to free themselves are not being given, Daily Mail reported.
Natalia Maliszewska, a Polish speed skater, described being repeatedly moved into and out of quarantine over successive days due to conflicting Covid test results, an experience she described as a 'trauma' that left her 'crying and crying'.