A Tokyo 2020 Olympic flag flies over the top of the bleachers at Ariake Tennis Center on July 19, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

       CHIBA, Japan (Kyodo) -- A female gymnast from the United States has tested positive for the coronavirus during her pre-Tokyo Olympic training camp, the city hosting the athlete said Monday.

       The name of the athlete, who is in her teens, has been withheld by the city of Inzai, Chiba Prefecture, where she was training ahead of the opening of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday.

       While several athletes from overseas have tested positive for the virus since arriving in Japan, it is the first known COVID case among Olympians from the United States.

       Another gymnast is isolating at a hotel room after health authorities deemed that the athlete had been in close contact with her, the city said.

       The gymnast in her teens was suspected of being infected with the virus on Sunday and another test at a hospital early Monday confirmed the result, according to the city.

       The team of 10 athletes have been screened for the virus daily since arriving in Japan on Thursday, and only went out for training using a designated bus, the city said.

       The Japanese organizers and the International Olympic Committee have put in place what they call "strict" anti-COVID-19 measures to prevent the spread of the virus during the games, due to open Friday following a one-year postponement because of the coronavirus pandemic.

       Nonetheless, a number of positive cases have been reported in and outside the athletes' village, while many people have been isolated after they were deemed as close contacts, reigniting worries about whether the games can be held safely, as promised by the organizers, during a global health crisis.

       On Monday, the organizing committee said it has identified 21 people as close contacts of three South African men's soccer team members who tested positive at the athletes' village.

       The news of the gymnast's infection comes after American tennis star Coco Gauff said on Twitter that she has pulled out of the Tokyo Games after testing positive for the virus.

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