Canada's Laurent Dubreuil has tested positive for COVID-19 at the world speedskating championships, sinking his chance at claiming the men's sprint title.
Speed Skating Canada released a statement from Dubreuil confirming the positive test shortly before Friday's races were set to begin.
Dubreuil sat first in the men's overall sprint standings following Thursday's races after winning the first 500-metre sprint and finishing third in the first 1,000-metre race.
Sprint champions are decided after two races over 500 metres and two over 1,000. The final sprint races were all scheduled to take place Friday.
Dubreuil, from Lévis, Que., won silver in the men's 1,000 at last month's Beijing Olympics.
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