While the in-game action at The International 2021 has been great, things outside of the game continue to be shaky.
Valve has confirmed that
two positive test results came in
among people working or competing at TI10. The individuals were identified and quarantined with contact tracing following from there. During the broadcast, commentators and analysts all wore masks but remained fairly close to one another as they worked.
Valve did not specify exactly who had tested positive, but there were a number of individuals who were conspicuously absent from the TI10 broadcast later that day. Owen “ODPixel” Davies casted a match alongside Team Liquid’s Aydin “iNSaNiA” Sarkohi instead of his usual broadcasting partner, Ioannis “Fogged” Loucas. Other casters also didn’t make an appearance, but it was always the plan to prune back the crew towards the end of the event as fewer games took place each day.
The news of an outbreak comes two days after caster Austin “Capitalist” Walsh stated he was feeling ill on Twitter. He stated that a test had come back negative at the time, but a follow-up may have changed that diagnosis.
News of the positive tests comes after a previous health scare where the
entire team and staff
of Team Aster was sidelined alongside a member of Invictus Gaming. Aster’s Zhang “LaNm” Zhicheng blasted those organizing TI10 for lax health protocols, which saw teams forced to source their own food in a country that was grappling with related troubles. LaNm later deleted his social media posts discussing this.
TI10 issues continue as event progresses
These latest health issues surface while TI10 is heading into the grand finals weekend. Following Friday’s action, the only teams that remain alive in the tournament are PSG.LGD, Team Secret, Vici Gaming, Invictus Gaming, and Team Spirit.
Players and casters have mingled on-screen on several occasions. The worst case scenario would be having the health of players in the finals affected, forcing remote play or even substitutions for the final matches of the prestigious tournament.
Steven Rondina
About Steven Rondina
Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.
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