Shock for the German lugers: Before the Olympic Games there was a positive corona test in the team. Coach Georg Hackl is initially isolated as a contact person. But there is hope.
Luge legend Georg Hackl is not allowed to travel to Beijing for the Olympic Games as planned. The reason is a positive corona test in the environment of the German toboggan team before the departure to China.
“I got a call this morning while brushing my teeth and I was told that I was the contact person and wasn’t allowed to enter the country yet,” Hackl told t-online. “I did a PCR test afterwards and it was negative, but I’ll stay at home for the next few days and try to isolate myself as best I can.”
“Like tires in automobile racing” – Georg Hackl reveals tobogganing secrets
“Like the tire in automobile racing”
Georg Hackl reveals tobogganing secrets
If anyone knows how a sledge slides particularly quickly down the ice channel, it’s him: Georg Hackl has won three Olympic gold medals himself. In an interview in 2018, he explained what it takes to win a luge.more
There was a team meeting on Friday evening, during which the final entry modalities were clarified. One of the people present there had tested positive on Saturday morning. In addition to himself, three other people are affected – but none of them are active athletes.
Hackl: “Of course it’s a bit stupid now”
Actually, the trainer of the German luge team was supposed to go to Beijing at the weekend. The next possible departure date is now Tuesday. “Until then, we will do daily PCR tests,” says Hackl. “I need two negative PCR tests within 24 hours to be able to travel to the airport in Frankfurt. Then another PCR test will be done there.”
“Of course that’s a bit stupid now, but everyone in the world who wants to go to the Olympic Games is equally affected,” Hackl clarified and added: “That’s why I always said in advance that it doesn’t fit together: the worldwide Corona situation with the Olympic Games and in particular these strict hygiene protection rules that the Chinese set as a benchmark.”
Hackl expects numerous similar cases in connection with entry in the next few days. “You don’t have to have studied statistics to predict that there will be a lot more news like this to come. It’s just starting to simmer.”