Cross-country skiing Swedes change pre-Olympic ski camp over covid fear
STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s cross-country skiers have moved their last pre-Olympic training camp in the heights in Italy to Livigno in the middle of reports of an increasing number of covid-19 cases at their original destination Seiser Alm, the country’s ski federation stated on Saturday.
“This (the increasing number of positive tests) is the reason why we chose to find a new, safer home and we found a very good alternative in Livigno,” says team manager Anders Byström in a statement.
The team of 18 Swedish athletes – 17 of whom will compete in the Beijing Games and a reserve – will travel to Livigno, about 170 km west of Seiser Alm, on Saturday for almost two weeks of altitude training before departing for China on 27 January.
“In these times, a good organization must be flexible and in this case, thanks to fast and careful work, we were able to find a better alternative than the one we first chose for our Olympic camp,” Bystrom explained.
The Swedes do not expect that the change of place will negatively affect the preparations for such as three-time Olympic champion and six-time silver medalist Charlotte Kalla, who is getting ready for her fourth game.
“Livigno is a fantastic training paradise at the same height (above sea level) as Zhangjiakou where the Olympic competitions will take place. We will be able to get optimal training in the tracks around Livigno,” said Bystrom.
(This story corrects point 3 to say .. west of Seiser Alm ..not .. east)
(Reported by Philip O’Connor; Edited by Hugh Lawson)