(Beijing) Canadian men’s figure skating champion Keegan Messing may not be able to compete in the Beijing Olympics.
Posted at 11:27 p.m.
The information, first published by CBC, was confirmed to The Press by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) on Wednesday morning (China time). In a written statement, the COC clarified that “Keegan Messing is still in Canada, where he is awaiting the necessary results of the COVID-19 tests in order to be able to travel to Beijing. We are hopeful that he will be able to travel soon. We will provide an update in the next few days. »
In order to enter China, athletes must produce two negative tests within 96 hours of their final flight to Beijing. At least 24 hours must have elapsed between the two tests. The COC was unable to tell us immediately if Messing had been infected with COVID-19, or since when.
Keegan Messing, 30, is fresh off winning his first Canadian national senior title in early January. At the last world championships, he finished sixth, his best career result in this event.
The figure skating events begin on Friday in Beijing, with the presentation of the team competition, in which the Canadians are the reigning Olympic champions. The men’s short program is scheduled for February 8 and the free program is scheduled for February 10 (China time).