Mikaela Shiffrin, Katharina Liensberger, Lara Gut-Behrami and Alice Robinson are among the biggest names in alpine skiing to contract COVID-19 in the past month.
The Omicron variant is spreading at breakneck speed, of course, but skiers were largely spared from the virus last season, which is not the case now, one month before the Beijing Olympics.
The Canadian team has not reported any positive cases so far. However, it is obvious that with the Olympics in the sights, the situation is all the more worrying.
After the World Cup in Zagreb, Croatia on Tuesday, Laurence St-Germain explained that even if there was a risk, she intended to take part in the other two World Cups scheduled before the Games. These are important races for the classification, but above all essential for Olympic qualification. The situation is nonetheless stressful and the team must remain extremely cautious.
PHOTO GABRIELE FACCIOTTI, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Laurence St-Germain
Asked if there was a difference in the protocol imposed by the International Ski Federation (FIS) this season, she mentioned that the restrictions are taken seriously and that there was no major change in the protocol and in the way of managing the situation on a daily basis.
However, she pointed out that female skiers share their hotels with tourists and locals, which was not the case last season, and which could explain the rise in cases on the circuit.
“Last year all the mountains were closed, so the hotels were pretty much empty. For example, at Christmas two weeks ago, there were plenty of customers and tourists who came to ski, who were there for the holidays and who were a bit on the party. So it’s really more difficult to keep our bubble tight. The restrictions are less here, there are more people, so it’s a little harder to protect yourself, ”explained St-Germain, who is trying to qualify for his second Olympics.
His teammate Ali Nullmeyer, who achieved his best career result with a fifth place in Zagreb, also trusts the protocol put in place by the FIS and ensures that the Canadian team is doing an excellent job to avoid any overflow.
The Canadian team is extremely careful and concerned. Everyone in the team makes sure that we get to the competition sites in a safe manner. We keep our fingers crossed. We wear the mask and we hope all will be well.
Ali Nullmeyer
The Omicron variant is wreaking havoc in Europe, where most competitions take place, and while different teams and skiers are careful, no one is immune.
An employee of the Canadian team said that the entourage of overall leader and Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin is probably the most careful and strict on the circuit. And yet, the skier contracted the virus.
“If there is a team that has paid more than attention, it is that of Mikaela Shiffrin. She eats alone in her room, she never goes to public places, and she still contracted the virus. So I tell myself that if the Shiffrin team had it, no matter how much we respect the protocols, the variant seems difficult to stop. ”
Eight skiers were absent from the slalom event on Tuesday in Zagreb, and the situation will be monitored by February, because the virus could continue to spread between now and the Olympics. Obviously, this remains a source of stress for athletes, but the vast majority of them trust the protocols and their teams.
Canadian bobsleigh team back to competition
A week ago, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton announced that it had subjected 11 athletes as well as three staff members to the COVID-19 protocol.
The Federation confirmed to Press that the athletes were in quarantine in Latvia until Thursday and that the whole team is expected to take part in the World Cup events presented in Germany this weekend.
The identity of the affected athletes will remain confidential, but Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton assures that everyone has been treated with the greatest care, that the Federation relies on “solid and secure protocols under the authority and supervision of federal authorities. , provincial and local ”.