Spain women were left without coach Adrian Lock after the Briton tested positive in the antigen control test ahead of their opening defeat to Australia on Sunday.
Lock, who tested negative for Covid last month, underwent a routine saliva check at the Olympic Village before being placed into isolation ahead of Spain’s 3-1 defeat.
All the Spanish players gave negative tests.
The Spanish Olympic Committee said in a statement that “a PCR test was performed, which has confirmed the adverse result. He is isolated and in quarantine.”
It is understood that Lock was forced to wait at the Olympic Village at the ‘fever clinic’ awaiting the result of a PCR after the daily antigens test which is mandatory for athletes and staff.
Lock is the second case in the Spanish Olympic team after Joseba Elguezabal, a masseur for the cycling team, gave a positive test on Friday.
On the pitch, the match swung in the third quarter with three goals in as many minutes, with Olympic debutant Rosie Malone playing a hand in both.
First Malone struck from an acute angle before she delivered the pass for Emily Chalker to tap in.
Bea Pérez did reduce the deficit for Spain before Grace Stewart gave the Hockeyroos more breathing space from a PC strike.
“We have not lost the game due to the absence of Adrian Lock, we have paid for our mistakes,” Perez told Spanish media.
Spain next face Argentina, who fell 3-0 to the Black Sticks.
