On how Beijing 2022 unfolds as planned, one of Canada’s top sports leaders was very cautious as the schedule turned to the Olympic year.
“We are concerned,” sighed David Shoemaker, CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee, who is responsible for stepping up Team Canada’s efforts at the Games in China.
“At the same time, we are learning as we have learned from the Tokyo 2020 experience and listening to all the advice we can from our Chief Medical Officer and his network of medical experts. We are convinced that these Games can still be scheduled. safe. But we take it day by day. “
The days go by.
And due to the recent fallout from the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and the persistence of the pandemic, speculation is rife.
Top athletes such as alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States have tested positive and will miss the action as the Olympics approach.
WATCH | Shoemaker discusses Canada’s position on Beijing with CBC Sports’ Scott Russell:
David Shoemaker, CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee, spoke with Scott Russell of CBC to talk about Canada’s position on the upcoming Winter Games in Beijing with the increase in COVID-19 cases. 1:52
But Shoemaker insists there has been no postponement of the Games – at least not yet.
“We have not yet had a conversation with the IOC (International Olympic Committee) about the postponement, but we have very frequent conversations with participating nations in winter sports and it could well happen.”
Distract from panic
Some national sports organizations in Canada are also refraining from pressing the panic button with just over a month to go.
Instead, they highlight measures taken by the COC to reduce risks to the health of the athlete, such as vaccination, testing, masking, physical distancing, and improving basic hygiene. . They are also reassured by the scientific evidence which suggests that the Omicron variant is unlikely to cause serious illness in most people.
That said, Brisson is concerned about the fallout if Canadian athletes tested positive in Beijing and had to self-isolate in China for a period of three to five weeks.
“If I have a concern it is more around staff / team burnout with the constant adjustment of plans and the potential for unnecessarily onerous quarantine / isolation measures and / or controls with testing COVID positive that would prevent athletes from competing or delay their return home and the mental health implications of that. ”
Obstacles remaining
For his part, Shoemaker suggested that the biggest hurdle to overcome is not the safety of the athletes in Beijing but the hoops the team will have to go through just to get there.
“Medical experts agree, and the consensus view is that Omicron’s safest place in February may well be the Olympic bubble in Beijing,” he said.
“The real challenge for us over the next 30 days is how to ensure that Canadian participants can get to Beijing without contracting the virus and therefore become able to test negative to enter this scenario. “
One thing is clear, according to Shoemaker. Athletes and leaders of the Canadian Olympic Committee are currently committed to fielding a team for Beijing 2022.
“So far the Athletes’ Commission is very busy with systems and we need to focus on preventative measures,” he said.
“We are convinced that we can bring a team to Beijing safely and we think it is important that we do. As long as it’s safe. As long as our Chief Medical Officer of Health gives it the green light, we will do everything we can to bring Team Canada to Beijing. “
There are now less than five weeks to go before the Beijing 2022 opening ceremony. The Games kick off at the magnificent Bird’s Nest on February 4.
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