Canada’s Olympic blended doubles curling trials have been cancelled due to an increase in athletes testing optimistic for the COVID-19 virus.
The speed of optimistic checks together with the “dangers related to travelling” brought on the cancellation, Curling Canada mentioned in an announcement on Sunday.
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The 16-rink trials to find out Canada’s blended doubles group for February’s Winter Olympics in Beijing have been scheduled to start Tuesday.
“The growing numbers of trials-bound athletes testing optimistic for COVID-19, together with the rise in circumstances throughout Canada, made it unattainable to stage the occasion in a protected, accountable method for athletes, workers and volunteers,” Curling Canada mentioned in an announcement.
“In contrast to the Calgary bubble, which had months of preparation time and allowed athletes to self-isolate at dwelling, and get checks performed previous to their departure for the occasions, the dramatic rise in optimistic circumstances associated to the sudden emergence of the Omicron variant throughout Canada previously week made these security precautions unattainable to hold out.”
The group’s high-performance workers will seek the advice of with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Personal The Podium on how one can nominate a blended doubles group for China. Preparations are underway for the refunding of tickets.
Curling Canada mentioned final week the trials would go forward with spectators capped at 50 per cent of capability in Stride Place and with athletes’ actions restricted to their lodge room, the world and transportation to the venue.
Canada is the defending Olympic champion in blended doubles, which made its debut in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes captured for the primary gold medal awarded within the self-discipline.
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