Traveling later makes no sense, because the Olympic competitions with the participation of ski jumpers end on Monday.
Seifriedsberger tested positive with an antigen test before she left Zurich Airport. Daniela Iraschko-Stolz, Eva Pinkelnig and Lisa Eder will remain in the team. Instead of Seifriedsberger, the Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC) – in coordination with the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV) – nominated 23-year-old Sophie Sorschag from Carinthia. Approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is still required for the change.
Rodlauer was last in contact with his athletes at the World Cup in Willingen, but also with a supervisor who also tested positive on the day of departure. “We don’t want to and can’t take any further risks in the current situation,” said Mario Stecher, sports director for jumping and combination in the ÖSV. “The same applies to Chiara Kreuzer”. She went home from Willingen with Seifriedsberger and the supervisor by bus and was therefore not subsequently nominated.
The tasks of the Styrian Rodlauer at the games will be taken over by assistant coach Thomas Diethart, the former Four Hills Tournament winner from Lower Austria only took over his co-function in December. In addition, according to the ÖOC broadcast, there should be close cooperation between the coaches and supervisors of the women’s and men’s teams at the winter games.
For the 31-year-old Seifriedsberger, it would have been the second time she took part in the Olympics after finishing 13th four years ago in Pyeongchang. “Of course, a world is collapsing for Jacqueline – as it was for Sara Marita. You’re ready to take off, you feel healthy, but you can’t take off. You don’t wish that on anyone,” said Stecher. “She seemed to be getting in shape in time for the Olympics.”
Stecher emphasized that the focus must be on the sport as soon as possible. “The first impression of the hill is promising. We’re looking forward to training,” emphasized the six-time Olympic participant. The men’s team with Manuel Fettner, Jan Hörl, Daniel Huber, Stefan Kraft and Daniel Tschofenig also arrived in Beijing on Wednesday.
Source: Nachrichten
