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US beach volleyball player tests positive for COVID-19, ruled out of Olympics

TOKYO — American beach volleyball player Taylor Crabb confirmed on social media Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Japan and will miss the Tokyo Olympics.

Crabb, 29, wrote in an Instagram post that he is fully vaccinated and currently has no symptoms. He is the first U.S. athlete to be ruled out of competing at the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19 in Japan.

"I've faced adversity before, and I will face it again, but it doesn't take the sting out of the situation," Crabb wrote in the post.

Tri Bourne will take Crabb's place on Team USA, teaming up with partner Jake Gibb. The duo's first match is scheduled for Sunday.

The Orange County Register and an NBC affiliate in Los Angeles first reported Crabb's positive test Wednesday.

Taylor Crabb competes against Nick Lucena (not pictured) and Phil Dalhausser (not pictured) in the final during the Wilson Cup on July 26, 2020 in Long Beach, California.
Taylor Crabb competes against Nick Lucena (not pictured) and Phil Dalhausser (not pictured) in the final during the Wilson Cup on July 26, 2020 in Long Beach, California.

USA Volleyball initially said in a statement that one of its members tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival but declined to provide any other additional details, including the identity of the person. It confirmed Crabb's departure from the Games – and Bourne's entry as his replacement – late Thursday.

"It’s truly disappointing to hear that my dear friend will not be playing in the Tokyo Games," Bourne said in a statement released by USAV. "Taylor is one of the world’s best and he earned this Olympic spot. He texted me to tell me the news and genuinely wished me the best of luck. As you can see from the statement he released on his Instagram, he’s a class act. I’m very honored to be filling in for him and what he represents: his team, family friends and community back home."

A Honolulu, Hawaii native, Crabb was named the national player of the year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association in 2013, when he was at Long Beach State, and he has been a staple on the professional tour in recent years.

Crabb comes from a volleyball-crazed family. His father, Chris, played professional indoor volleyball and his uncle, Tony, was an assistant coach on the U.S. team that won gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Crabb's brother, Trevor, also plays professionally. In fact, Bourne, the replacement who is now reportedly headed to Tokyo, is his regular playing partner.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US volleyball player tests positive for COVID-19, will miss Olympics