SI.com · Mar 20, 2020
Coronavirus and the U.S. Olympic Qualifying Conundrum
Five women got on the phone last Friday to weigh a heavy decision.
Each represented half of the five American beach volleyball tandems vying to represent the U.S. at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. They had (virtually) gathered to discuss whether to fly to Australia for an upcoming tournament and continue competing against each other for the remaining spot on Team USA—and risk exposure to coronavirus or a travel ban that would keep them overseas—or to stay home and risk watching the other women on the call celebrate on the medal stand in Tokyo.