According to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) clearly improved. “The activities to improve the accommodation conditions of Team D athletes Eric Frenzel, Terence Weber (Nordic combined) and Nolan Seegert (figure skating) who are in corona quarantine have been successful”it says in one DOSBStatement on Sunday (02/06/2022).
“Location definitely improved”
Frenzel and Seegert have therefore been able to move to a larger room in their quarantine hotels in Zhangjiakou and Beijing and also have access to a bicycle ergometer. Weber was also transferred to the quarantine hotel in Zhangjiakou from his self-isolation in the team hotel. “The situation has definitely improved, that’s really satisfying now”said NoKo national coach Hermann Weinbuch.
The accommodation of the athletes was previously, among other things, by Dirk Schimmelpfennig, the Chef de Mission of the German Olympic delegation “unacceptable” been criticized. Criticism also came from other international athletes who had to be isolated after positive corona tests. There were complaints about the small room size, poor Internet access, hardly any sports equipment or little variety in the food.
Athletes can now select food
The I.O.C promised improvements. According to Zhao Weidong, spokesman for the organizing committee, isolated athletes are now given the opportunity, for example, to order food from the Olympic Village menu.
Frenzel: “Values are going in the right direction”
Meanwhile, the isolated Eric Frenzel has also spoken out about his current situation. In a video distributed by the German Ski Association, Frenzel says: “Fortunately, I now have everything I need. Everything fits so far. Fortunately, the values are also going in the right direction. I hope to get out soon.”
Frenzel will not be able to repeat his Olympic victory on the normal hill from 2018 on Wednesday (02/09/2022). The German team doctor Stefan Pecher already ruled that out. For Frenzel, the hope for the two competitions on the large hill in the coming week remains.
Frenzel: “Family has endured deprivation”
“It’s annoying that all this happened. We did everything to prevent this situation from occurring.”says the 33-year-old and describes: “My wife and my family endured all sorts of deprivations. We all went into isolation, we took the children out of kindergarten, the older ones out of school. Now it’s doubly annoying that all the effort wasn’t rewarded. “
Infection presumably in Seefeld
According to Frenzel, he was infected with the virus “probably about another Nordic Combined athlete at the World Cup in Seefeld”suspects the Saxon. “I did everything I could for two years not to get infected with this virus. And now you travel to the Olympic Games and you become positive. That was a big shock.” In addition to Frenzel and Weber, top favorite for gold Jarl Magnus Riiber and Estonian Kristjan Ilves are missing in the competition on the normal hill. Four of the top seven of the World Cup fall.
Faißt start still unclear
The German Ski Association nominated Manuel Faißt to replace Frenzel and Weber on Saturday. The Furtwangener has been on his way to China since Sunday. However, it is unclear whether he will actually be used on Wednesday. According to I.O.C-Regulations would have to be canceled by national coach Weinbuch for a Faißt start permit for Frenzel or Weber for the remaining competitions. “I have little hope that I will be able to replace Manuel and then again. If nothing changes, we will only start with three men on Wednesday.”said Weinbuch.
Source: Dirk Hofmeister