Ohio State football has returned to practice. The Buckeyes announced Tuesday that, after consulting with medical professionals, student athletes could resume volunteer training. The athletic department initially suspended voluntary training on July 8 after receiving multiple positive COVID-19 tests.
After Bucknuts originally reported that the suspension of all volunteer workouts would last for about a week, all players who tested positive had to follow safety protocols and isolate themselves. for at least 14 days while receiving daily checkups from medical staff members.
Starting this week, the NCAA allowed teams to move from previous training to weight training, conditioning, and movie review for eight hours per day. Of July 24-August. 6, wThe use of a ball and the use of a soccer ball will be allowed in training sessions of up to 20 hours per week before the start of the fall camp.
Each of the student athletes in the seven sports that started volunteer training in June: Men’s and women’s basketball, field hockey, soccer, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball were tested on Monday and received results on Tuesday. Student-athletes will now be routinely screened for coronavirus and training decisions will be made by medical staff.
From the Ohio state press release:
Columbus, Ohio – Based on advice from medical professionals and test results on Monday from all student athletes currently in training, the Ohio State University Department of Athletics announced today that they will resume voluntary training operations after a suspension announced last week.
All student athletes from the seven sports who returned to volunteer training last month were tested on Monday and the results were received today. The last round of testing was on July 7, resulting in suspension of training on July 8.
Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith said that athletes will be routinely evaluated in the future and that medical staff will continue to evaluate training decisions to protect the health and safety of students. There is a strict set of protocols that require physical distancing, masks, hygiene and cleaning procedures.
“Our Buckeyes are excited to start a new school year and were disappointed last week when we had to temporarily suspend training,” said Smith. “These young people come from across the country and the world to be part of our Ohio state family, and we do everything we can to create a safe and healthy environment for them to have the opportunity to study and compete. Our medical team will continue to evaluate and share decisions as we go along. ”
To protect the individual medical privacy of student-athletes, the university will not disclose information about test results.
Teams with student-athletes on campus participating in training activities are men’s and women’s basketball, field hockey, soccer, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball.
