Paris, 31 July 2024 (dpa/MIA) — German decathlete Manuel Eitel has withdrawn from the Olympic Games due to a coronavirus infection, the latest in a string of cases to affect the Paris Games.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics was delayed by a year until 2021 and held almost without fans because of the pandemic. Reports of infections have plummeted since and there are no restrictions at the Paris Games, but there are signs of a resurgence in cases.

British swimming silver medallist Adam Peaty has tested positive at the Games as well as Australians competing in the pool. Doctors fear cases are even more widespread.

"Today is and will be one of the worst days of my life," the 27-year-old Eitel wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.

"What I'm feeling right now is beyond any defeat I've ever experienced in sport. I'm absolutely stunned, devastated and no longer understand the world."

The German Athletics Association said Till Steinforth would take Eitel's place and compete in the decathlon with Leo Neugebauer - the world's best this year and former world champion Niklas Kaul.

"I don't know what to do next, my heart hurts and I can't think clearly yet," Eitel added. 

The men's decathlon at the Paris Games starts on August 2.

On Monday, swimming silver medallist Adam Peaty tested positive for Covid-19, the British Olympic Association announced.

Peaty tested positive just hours after losing his Olympic crown in the men’s 100 metres breaststroke final on Sunday.

Earlier, the Australian women's water polo team were struggling to contain an outbreak of the coronavirus.

Five of their athletes were infected with SARS-CoV-2, the Australian Olympic Committee said.