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Tokyo track cycling training hit by virus

3 minute read

Australian track cyclist Matt Glaetzer has had to alter training for the Tokyo Olympics after a Cycling Australia staffer tested positive to coronavirus.

Matt Glaetzer says his training has been derailed after a Cycling Australia staffer tested positive to coronavirus but he's still focused on Toyko after being named in his third Australian Olympic team this week.

It's a stunning achievement after undergoing surgery for thyroid cancer less than six months ago.

One CA staff member, returning to Adelaide earlier this month after attending the track cycling world championships in Berlin, tested positive however the virus appears to have been contained.

Unable to access their usual training headquarters and with camps cancelled, Glaetzer says the Australian cyclists have had to set up home gyms and stick to restricted road riding rather than spending time in the velodrome.

"We're not doing all the work we'd want to be doing but it's best case scenario with the equipment restrictions," the two-time world champion told AAP.

While there are continuing concerns over whether the Games will take place as scheduled in July-August due to the outbreak, Glaetzer says the athletes are forging ahead.

"You just have to assume that it's going to happen and you need to try and prepare as you would normally do," he said.

"You have to be specific and smart about it and get the work while trying to be as safe as you can."

But the 27-year-old, who narrowly missed a medal in both London and Rio, didn't want the Games to proceed should the pandemic continue.

"I would want the virus contained and under control with very few cases for there to be a big movement of international travel with athletes and the spectators," he said.

"It's still a few months away so it's hard to tell but if there's still a lot of cases around the world it would be smarter for the World Health Organisation to step in.

"It's going to be a massive call to postpone the Games but it's pretty important."

Glaezter has also been battling a calf tear that ruled him out of the world championships in February.

"That was not in the plan for this year, that's for sure," he said.

"The injury has been almost harder to deal with than the cancer

"it's something that shouldn't affect me too much - it's just about strengthening things up again and letting it rip."

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