A few days before the start of the European Speed Skating Championships in Heerenveen (Friday to Sunday), the Russian national team had to go into quarantine.
Upon arrival in the Netherlands, several team members, including title contenders Angelina Golikova, Natalia Voronina and Olga Fatkulina, tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Russian Speed Skating Association confirmed the cases to the Dutch daily “AD”.
In order not to jeopardize their Olympic starts in Beijing because of the pandemic, the association also decided, as a precaution, not to include 500 m world record holders Pavel Kulizhnikov, Ruslan Murashov and Artyom Arefiev in the EM team.
They continue to prepare for the Games (February 4th to 20th) in Russia.
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