Norovirus Outbreak Postpones Finland-Canada Olympic Women’s Hockey Match
A women’s Olympic hockey match between Canada and Finland has been postponed due to a norovirus outbreak among the Finnish team. This game marks the inaugural participation of both teams at the Milan Cortina Games.
Norovirus Outbreak and Impact on Teams
The postponement occurred after only ten players from Finland were able to take the ice for practice on Thursday. These included eight skaters and two goalies, while the remaining thirteen players were quarantined in their athlete village due to illness or exposure to the virus.
- Star players like defender Jenni Hiirikoski and forward Petra Nieminen participated in the skate.
- However, captain Michelle Karvinen and forward Susanna Tapani were among the key absentees.
Finland’s general manager, Kimmo Oikarinen, expressed uncertainty regarding the health status of his players. He mentioned that some were sick while others were quarantined as a precautionary measure. Oikarinen could not guarantee how many players would be healthy by the rescheduled game time.
Rescheduled Match Details
The match was originally set for 9:10 p.m. local time but has been rescheduled to February 12 at 2:30 p.m. local time at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. The decision to postpone was made collectively by several organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, to prioritize health and safety. A statement from the committee emphasized the necessity of this decision to uphold the Olympic spirit and competition integrity.
Background on the Finnish Team
Prior to arriving in Milan, the Finnish team held a training camp in Switzerland. Coach Tero Lehterä noted they were first alerted to player illness on Tuesday evening, which led to the cancellation of their practice on Wednesday. He stated that while most players are improving, those affected by the virus remain too ill to compete.
Health Concerns and Previous Experiences
The norovirus is known to be highly contagious, especially during colder months, often leading to gastrointestinal distress. Finland’s current situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by sports teams in the wake of illness.
This incident occurs on the first day of the tournament, marking a significant adjustment as the Winter Olympics seek to return to normalcy following COVID-19 restrictions that impacted previous games. In contrast to the 2022 Games, fans are now allowed back into venues, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the competition.
Lehterä reflected on the importance of player health, indicating that fielding unwell players could jeopardize not only their performance but also that of Team Canada. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing player safety, stating it would be unethical to force ill players to compete.
