Norovirus Outbreak Delays Finland-Canada Olympic Women’s Hockey Game

A significant health concern has led to the postponement of the women’s Olympic hockey game between Finland and Canada at the Milan Cortina Games. The match, which was set to mark the first appearance for both teams, faced delays due to multiple players on the Finnish team contracting norovirus.

Details of the Norovirus Outbreak

The decision to postpone came after only 10 Finnish players attended the pre-game practice at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. This group consisted of eight skaters and two goalies. Thirteen players were quarantined in the athletes’ village due to illness or exposure to the virus.

Impact on Key Players

• Star defender Jenni Hiirikoski and forward Petra Nieminen participated in the practice.
• Team captain Michelle Karvinen and forward Susanna Tapani were unable to attend.

Kimmo Oikarinen, the general manager of the Finnish team, refrained from disclosing the exact number of ill players. He expressed uncertainty about the availability of healthy players for the originally scheduled game at 9:10 p.m. local time.

Rescheduling the Game

In response to this situation, the game has been rescheduled to February 12 at 2:30 p.m. local time. This decision was made collaboratively by various stakeholders to prioritize health and safety, as stated by the International Olympic Committee. They emphasized that the postponement was essential for upholding the integrity of the competition.

Background Information

The Finnish team had a training camp in Switzerland before arriving in Milan. Coach Tero Lehterä reported that he became aware of some players falling ill on Tuesday evening, leading to the cancellation of Wednesday’s practice. Norovirus is notorious for its rapid spread, especially in colder months, and typically causes gastrointestinal distress.

Historical Context

This postponement marks a notable moment during the Winter Olympics, particularly after the restrictions experienced during the Beijing Games four years ago, where COVID-19 protocols significantly impacted player and fan interactions. This year, athletes are enjoying a more normalized environment.

Team’s Health Assessment

Lehterä indicated that while some players are recovering, those who are ill are not fit to participate. He acknowledged the potential risk of affecting Team Canada’s health if ill players were to play despite their condition. His focus remains on the well-being of his athletes, reiterating the importance of their health in the sport.