The only Canadian selected to officiate wrestling at the Tokyo Summer Games is thankful for the opportunity.
Ed Zinger is also an alumni of Lakehead University, studying and competing from 1988 to 1993, earning degrees in Physical Education and Education.
Zinger tells Acadia News the COVID-19 protocols started as soon as he landed, “we were immediately tested twice, one in a rapid antigen test and the other being a PCR swab test. Once our rapid tests came back okay, we were sent to the hotel and we stayed there until we got a negative PCR result.”
Action photo of Ed Zinger (courtesy of Larry Slater)
Listen: Ed Zinger Full Interview
Zinger is one of only four Canadians with the required certification to referee at the Olympic level.
Since his return, Zinger has been able to return to his everyday life.
“We were actually exempt from protocols because we were tested every single day,” Zinger added. “Over the ten day period that I was there, I was tested eleven times so I had a lot of negative tests. As soon as I landed at the airport, the border officials asked me where I was and what the purpose of my travel was. I gave them the needed information and they just sent me on my way.”
Zinger has officiated in 17 different countries for the World Wrestling Championships, Wrestling World Cups and Pan American Wrestling Championships.
Tokyo will now host the Paralympics from Tuesday, August 24 to Sunday, September 5.
