U.S. speedskater Casey Dawson finished the men's 1,500-metre with the second worst time at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, but his journey getting to the starting line is one for the record books.
Dawson's race for the podium was slightly derailed nearly three weeks ago after testing positive for COVID-19 back on home soil following the U.S. trials in Milwaukee. The 21-year-old returned to Salt Lake City to continue training while awaiting a negative PCR test.
"Friends, family, teammates, competitors… I am saddened to announce that I will not be racing my individual races at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games," Dawson wrote in an Instagram post. "After testing positive for COVID three weeks ago, I just finally started testing negative this past week."
Dawson first tested negative for COVID-19 on Feb. 1, just a couple of days before the Games began and the rest of this fellow U.S. Olympians were already on the ground in Beijing. Last Tuesday, the skater tested negative once again.
"I thought everything was good to go to leave and get to Beijing before my 5000m, and according to everyone I’ve been in contact with, that was the general consensus. I needed two consecutive negative tests to be approved to leave, and I was able to produce those," he said. "I received news that they now require four negative tests to even consider sending me over. Also the testing site I used was on the approved list, and that was also changed as well, so I had to switch where I was getting tested.
However, the U.S. Olympic Committee said the athlete had to test negative four times in order to travel. The meant Dawson would miss his first competition, the 5,000m.
"It was up and down. Once I got a negative test I was riding high, but when I got a positive test I would be on the ground crying and I just didn't think I would get here in the first place," Dawson told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday. "I've taken 45 PCR tests over the past couple of weeks just to test negative."
Once cleared to fly, Dawson began a nearly 24-hour journey to the Olympics from the U.S. via Paris before landing in China, 12 hours before the start of his next event. He made it, however, his skates did not.
Dawson's bags got misplaced somewhere along the way. Fortunately he was able to borrow a pair of skates from fellow Olympian Haralds Silovs of Latvia. Dawson also was lucky enough to have a spare race suit in his carry-on bag.
Dawson ended up skating in the 1,500-metre, and raced his way to second last place.
-with files from the Associated Press
Turi King takes pride in her work solving ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles – including a centuries-old mystery involving an infamous British king.
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes killed 11 people overnight into Monday, including a woman and three children, in central Gaza.
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Mexico's projected presidential winner Claudia Sheinbaum will become the first woman president in the country's 200-year history.
The cost of your next flight is likely to go up. That's the word from the International Air Transport Association, which held its annual meeting Monday in Dubai.
The Edmonton Oilers rode their special teams and goaltender to victory on Sunday, beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 to win the National Hockey League's Western Conference and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them.
Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.
Legislation restricting disruptive protests targeting B.C. schools came into effect Friday, with the province saying there have been 20 such incidents since last September.
One person suffered life threatening injuries following a crash along Stoney Trail Saturday afternoon.
A group of protesters briefly blocked the Winnipeg Pride Parade on Sunday.
Turi King takes pride in her work solving ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles – including a centuries-old mystery involving an infamous British king.
People around the world are observing National Cancer Survivor Day, an annual celebration held to honour patients who have been through the often difficult and traumatic experience of living with cancer.
A motorcycle driver is facing charges after being caught on Highway 417 doing wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says.
Mexico's projected presidential winner Claudia Sheinbaum will become the first woman president in the country's 200-year history.
Donald Trump has joined the popular video-sharing app TikTok, a platform he once tried to ban while in the White House, and posted from a UFC fight two days after he became the first former president and presumptive major party nominee in U.S. history to be found guilty on felony charges.
Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes killed 11 people overnight into Monday, including a woman and three children, in central Gaza.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called Sunday for his country's political parties to overcome their differences and find "common ground" to form the first national coalition government in its young democracy.
The iconic yellow and green of Brazil's flag mixed with a sea of rainbow-coloured tutus, hand fans and drag queen hairdos at Sunday's LGBTQ+ pride parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
Just as the summer travel season gets into gear, Canadians and visitors could find themselves waiting in long lines at the border — delays that could also deal a blow to the economy.
The Canadian and Chinese defence ministers met in Singapore this week, marking the first in-person meeting between those officials in years.
Canada's ambassador to Russia says while Ottawa has 'grave concerns' about the Kremlin's 'longer-term trends,' the war in Ukraine is 'a primary barrier to a change in the relationship.'
People around the world are observing National Cancer Survivor Day, an annual celebration held to honour patients who have been through the often difficult and traumatic experience of living with cancer.
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
The use of weed to replace alcohol is a growing trend in the United States. In fact, a recent study found — for the first time ever — the daily use of cannabis of any kind among Americans surpassed the daily use of alcohol.
Plant biologist Marcus Samuel has been working for more than a decade to improve the climate resilience of crops.
A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Vancouver was well represented at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa this week.
A snowstorm, a Tim Hortons and a group of Canadian artists loosely sums up ‘The Last Timbit,’ a musical hitting the stage in Toronto this month. However, the writers involved explain that it is much more than that. To them, it is a celebration of community, Canadians and togetherness.
Ryan Reynolds this week unveiled arguably the most anticipated and sure-to-be coveted merchandise tied to his upcoming 'Deadpool' sequel: the movie’s novelty popcorn bucket.
Eminem appears to be killing off his alter ego in his latest project, an album titled, 'The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace).'
The Bank of Canada will announce its latest interest rate decision on Wednesday amid speculation that the central bank might start to cut rates.
The cost of your next flight is likely to go up. That's the word from the International Air Transport Association, which held its annual meeting Monday in Dubai.
Saudi Arabia and allied oil producing countries on Sunday extended output cuts through next year, a move aimed at supporting slack prices that haven't risen even amid turmoil in the Middle East and the start of the summer travel season.
From Star Wars costumes to mashed potato bars to mid-week soirees, Manitoba couples are finding ways to personalize their weddings in new and creative ways.
The few customers looking for an edible option at a Quebec cannabis store (SQDC) will have noticed some new options on the shelves though the weed-infused poutines sauce, jerky and sausages are not increasing the bottom dollar.
As the Edmonton Oilers battle the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs' Western Conference Finals, there's some beef brewing off the ice as well.
Scotland's Robert MacIntyre has won the RBC Canadian Open.
The Edmonton Oilers rode their special teams and goaltender to victory on Sunday, beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 to win the National Hockey League's Western Conference and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them.
Richard D'Agostino says he was aghast to find out that it was going to take him over an hour to get to Dollard-des-Ormeaux from downtown Montreal.
The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday sued South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Co., an auto parts plant and a labour recruiter over illegal use of child labour in Alabama.
Car 14 is a luxury passenger car that once made regular runs from London to Port Stanley starting in 1917.
A hefty donation by a renowned local activist to the University of Winnipeg has created what is believed to be the most comprehensive two-spirit archives in all of Canada.
Leanne Van Bergen discovered a skulk of 10 baby foxes, and two mothers, had made themselves at home on her property in Beausejour.
An 81-year-old Waterloo, Ont. woman thought she’d never ride a horse again after a brain bleed led to severe physical complications.
A CP24 camera caught the moment a driver frantically got out of her car as it was being dragged by a truck on Avenue Road Wednesday afternoon.
Prince Edward Island is celebrating its first-ever International Day of Potato on Thursday.
The president of Covered Bridge Chips in New Brunswick is hoping to have his factory rebuilt for late 2025 following a devastating fire last year.
Students and staff at Winnipeg’s Westwood Collegiate had a unique problem to solve this month; how do you lead ducks to water from the school’s courtyard when 12 of them can’t fly yet?
Debby Lorinczy remembers her father as an amazing person and as a man who also made an amazing discovery.
A search effort has been launched for a trio of mountain climbers who were reported overdue after not returning from their excursion near Squamish, B.C.
Nearly three dozen dedicated dogs got their diplomas to become service dogs in B.C. on Sunday.
At Hydra Estiatorio in downtown Vancouver, every dish is prepared or finished with olive oil. The eatery has been hard-hit by shortages and surging prices.
One of the five people shot outside a Rexdale high school late Sunday night has died in hospital, Toronto police confirm.
Graduation ceremonies for University of Toronto students are set to begin today as a pro-Palestinian encampment remains on campus despite looming legal action.
During the pandemic, the Ontario government started to hand out cash to parents to help offset the cost of at-home learning while schools were shuttered.
A bear warning is in effect in part of Banff National Park.
The Abbot Pass hut stood for decades in a rugged saddle between two iconic peaks, overlooking the limpid turquoise of Banff National Park's Lake Louise — a destination for alpinists from around the world until the ground melted beneath it and forced its closure.
It has been a banner year for PADS with 33 service teams graduating, five from Calgary.
The city of Ottawa will officially kick off construction season in the capital on Monday, with several road resurfacing and culvert renewal and replacement projects to be completed this spring and summer.
It will be a hot and humid start to the first week of June in Ottawa, with the humidex making it feel like 32 today and 33 on Tuesday.
The cost of living continues to be top of mind for Canadians right across the country and a city right across the river from Ottawa is being highlighted as a more affordable place to call home.
The driver of a watercraft involved in the death of a toddler in the Baskatong reservoir has been arrested.
A 52-year-old man is in hospital after an assault in downtown Montreal.
Emergency response crews are on the scene Sunday morning after a vehicle plunged into the Riviere des Prairies in Montreal.
The Edmonton Oilers rode their special teams and goaltender to victory on Sunday, beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 to win the National Hockey League's Western Conference and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
A body was recovered from the North Saskatchewan River early Sunday evening.
A man is dead after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a concrete barrier on Stadium Road early Sunday morning.
Halifax Regional Police is investigating a shooting in Dartmouth, N.S., Monday morning.
After a weekend filled with lots of competition and plenty of visitors, the Sail Grand Prix in Halifax has come to a close.
As the Weekend of Giving comes to an end, the 40th annual IWK Telethon for Children has come to a close, and this year viewers donated a record-breaking amount, making over $7.5 million.
A group of protesters briefly blocked the Winnipeg Pride Parade on Sunday.
Pride festivities in Winnipeg will be ending early on Sunday due to severe weather in the city.
The rainy weather that Manitoba saw throughout the month of May looks like it will continue into June.
Despite losing out against the Saginaw Knights in the Memorial Cup semi-final, the Moose Jaw Warriors returned home to hero's welcome.
It was all things aviation at the Regina Flying Club's annual open house over the weekend.
Saskatchewan RCMP are currently responding to a serious collision on Highway 1 west of Swift Current.
With only a few below average days during the month, the overall temperature ended up being almost 2.5 degrees above average.
Waterloo regional police have arrested a man wanted in connection to a Kitchener shooting.
The curtain may close on Guelph Dance performances if they don’t secure the funding they need to carry on.
Saskatoon’s city solicitor has politely rejected a proposal from the downtown business improvement district to draft a bylaw banning the use of amps by street performers and preachers.
An officer was hospitalized after a speeding driver rammed a police vehicle multiple times, according to the Saskatchewan RCMP.
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
The family of an Ontario teen with special needs who died after being found unresponsive at his high school is planning legal action while seeking answers following an "unimaginable tragedy," their lawyer said Friday.
Mexico's projected presidential winner Claudia Sheinbaum will become the first woman president in the country's 200-year history.
Turi King takes pride in her work solving ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles – including a centuries-old mystery involving an infamous British king.
OPP have charged a driver in South Bruce for going 70 km/h over the posted speed limit. On Saturday, police stopped the vehicle in Kincardine after being clocked at 150 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone.
In a game that started out slow but picked up in the third period, the Saginaw Spirit are Memorial Cup champions.
Bruce Power introduced an isotope production line in 2022, producing medical isotopes used in treatments for prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumours.
Broken vehicle lights lead to the arrest of two Wasaga Beach drivers on impaired driving charges.
Downtown Barrie will be inaccessible Thursday morning.
Runners of all ages participated in the 12th edition of the Honda Waterfront Half-Marathon in Barrie Sunday morning.
Transportation is cancelled for Area B due to fog but afternoon transportation will be operational.
Since the start of this year, multiple search efforts have been conducted to locate Scott Kersey who was last seen on Dec. 29, 2023.
Windsor police officers say they have arrested two people and seized loaded shotguns from apartment units in the city's core.
At Hydra Estiatorio in downtown Vancouver, every dish is prepared or finished with olive oil. The eatery has been hard-hit by shortages and surging prices.
A United Airlines plane is being removed from service after several passengers on a flight from Vancouver, B.C., to Houston, TX, felt sick.
A search effort has been launched for a trio of mountain climbers who were reported overdue after not returning from their excursion near Squamish, B.C.
Mounties in Kelowna have deemed a fire that ripped through an automotive repair business in Kelowna over the weekend suspicious in nature.
Mounties in Kamloops are appealing for information after two recent reports of a man chasing children in a park.
Firefighters in Kelowna were busy on Sunday morning, knocking down two “major” structure fires.
The City of Lethbridge has turned the taps back on at four public drinking stations across the city.
Road milling and repaving in Lethbridge is unofficially underway.
The Brooks Bandits added a new title to their list Saturday night when they defeated the Surrey Eagles 4-1 to claim the Rocky Mountain Challenge.
Provincial police in Elliot Lake have arrested a local woman who allegedly threatened to burn down an apartment building in the community.
Two people are facing multiple charges after a pickup truck stolen in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. was found stuck in the sand at a beach in a Thessalon First Nation community last week.
A Sault man is facing multiple charges – including impaired driving – after an SUV was spotted speeding the wrong way on Highway 17 without its lights on.
Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador say they are only weeks away from a solution to move unclaimed human remains out of roadside freezers and into a nearby hospital.
The company behind a popular independent television station in Newfoundland and Labrador says it was hit by a cyberattack.
A skull was found along a backroad near St. John's more than 20 years ago. Now, police have finally identified the victim of the homicide.
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
