Competitions are already taking place at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan. © APA/afp / JULIEN DE ROSA

A virus disrupts the Olympic plans

Following a norovirus outbreak in the Finnish national ice hockey team, the women's opening game at the Winter Olympics has been postponed by one week.

February 05, 2026

From: dpa/dl

Instead of Thursday at 9:10 p.m., the match against the Canadians will now take place next Thursday in Milan. The teams and the organizers reached this agreement.

Finland had only ten players available for training on Thursday – including two goalkeepers. According to a spokesperson, the remaining 13 players were in quarantine or isolation on Thursday afternoon. However, regulations require 17 players for the tournament to proceed.

Affected players will be isolated

As a precaution, training and media appearances had already been cancelled on Wednesday. Team doctor Maarit Valtonen reported that the player had contracted the highly contagious norovirus following gastrointestinal problems. It causes a sudden onset of severe vomiting and diarrhea. The virus can be transmitted from person to person through fecal-oral contact or via contaminated food or water.

Team doctor Valtonen explained that the infected athletes and their roommates had been isolated. "And all team facilities in the Olympic Village and the ice rink are being disinfected to prevent the spread of the disease. Furthermore, efforts are being made to avoid all contact for the time being."