A machine that is the size of a shoe box can detect up to 45 infections, including flus, common colds and Covid. This could help athletes receive immediate treatment for such illnesses.
The machine is called Biofire, and was first used at the Tokyo Olympics. Each athlete was required to get tested before entering the games. The results would usually come back between 45 minutes and one hour after testing.
If athletes got caught with these infections, they were isolated until they were fully cured and could start training and competing again.
“Keeping people infection-free can be the difference between no medal and a gold medal,” Australian Institute of Sport Chief Medical Officer David Hughes said.
At the 2016 Rio Games, 94 athletes were infected with respiratory illnesses. 35 athletes contracted gastrointestinal illnesses. Some even went to the hospital. Now, more competitions are becoming infection free because the new rules require athletes to wear masks and wash their hands frequently.
“We were able to take in a team of 1000 people, which was one of the largest teams in Tokyo, and no one missed a training session, no one failed to compete,” Hughes said.
Sources:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1659266605019x123163178398174820/Aussies%E2%80%99%20secret%20weapon%20at%20Games%20_%20KidsNews.pdf
The machine is called Biofire, and was first used at the Tokyo Olympics. Each athlete was required to get tested before entering the games. The results would usually come back between 45 minutes and one hour after testing.
If athletes got caught with these infections, they were isolated until they were fully cured and could start training and competing again.
“Keeping people infection-free can be the difference between no medal and a gold medal,” Australian Institute of Sport Chief Medical Officer David Hughes said.
At the 2016 Rio Games, 94 athletes were infected with respiratory illnesses. 35 athletes contracted gastrointestinal illnesses. Some even went to the hospital. Now, more competitions are becoming infection free because the new rules require athletes to wear masks and wash their hands frequently.
“We were able to take in a team of 1000 people, which was one of the largest teams in Tokyo, and no one missed a training session, no one failed to compete,” Hughes said.
Sources:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1659266605019x123163178398174820/Aussies%E2%80%99%20secret%20weapon%20at%20Games%20_%20KidsNews.pdf
