BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Finland and Switzerland moved forward with their women’s hockey schedules at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Saturday, returning to competition after both teams were forced to navigate disruptions caused by a stomach virus that affected several players earlier in the week.
Finland took the ice against the United States with a full roster of 20 skaters and two goaltenders, marking a significant step forward after illness had threatened to derail the team’s Olympic campaign before it began. The matchup represented Finland’s tournament opener, following the postponement of its originally scheduled game against Canada on Thursday.
That postponement came after a norovirus outbreak swept through the Finnish squad, placing 13 of the team’s 23 players in quarantine. Symptoms began appearing late Tuesday night, prompting medical officials to intervene and Olympic organizers to delay the contest in order to protect athlete health and prevent further spread.
By Friday, signs pointed to improvement. Finland coach Tero Lehtera said the team was determined to play against the United States regardless of circumstances, noting after practice that only nine players were absent and that the situation had stabilized. The successful start against the Americans suggested the team had cleared the most critical phase of the illness.
Switzerland also pressed ahead with its schedule, announcing it was prepared to face Canada despite confirming that one player had tested positive for the same virus. The Swiss team had already opened its Olympic campaign with a dramatic 4-3 shootout victory over the Czech Republic on Friday, demonstrating resilience amid growing health concerns.
As a precaution, the entire Swiss delegation spent Friday night in isolation and did not take part in the opening ceremony. On Saturday, the team returned to the ice for a scheduled practice, holding an optional skate that included six skaters and two goaltenders.
Switzerland’s chief medical officer, Hanspeter Betschart, said the risk had subsided following careful monitoring.
“The incubation period has now passed,” Betschart said in a statement. “From a medical perspective, there are currently no concerns about the game taking place, provided no further players show symptoms.”
The team did not disclose the identity of the affected player.
Olympic officials sought to downplay fears of a wider issue, emphasizing that established health protocols were working as intended. Games executive director Christophe Dubi said the situation did not meet the definition of an outbreak and stressed that only a small number of athletes were involved.
International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams added that the IOC’s medical leadership saw no indication the cases affecting Finland and Switzerland were connected.
Elsewhere in the tournament, teams have taken visible precautions. Germany goaltender Sandra Abstreiter said players across the competition are acutely aware of the situation and have adjusted postgame routines accordingly. Following Germany’s 5-2 victory over Japan, both teams lined up to acknowledge the crowd but avoided traditional handshakes, instead maintaining distance and limiting contact.
“I think that’s the smart play as of right now,” Abstreiter said. “We’re disinfecting a lot, and we’re not sharing things. It’s obviously in our heads, but we still have to focus on hockey and let our medical team take care of that.”
Germany coach Jeff MacLeod said his players have been instructed to report any symptoms immediately, underscoring the importance of vigilance as the tournament continues.
With Finland and Switzerland back in action, organizers remain focused on balancing competitive integrity with health and safety, hoping the women’s hockey tournament can proceed without further disruption as the Olympic schedule intensifies.
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