Corona robs the defending champion of what is probably his last Olympic chance
As of 5:52 p.m
First injured, now tested positive: Andreas Wellinger struggles
Source: dpa/Daniel Karmann
Two weeks before the opening of the Olympics, ski jumper Wellinger tested positive for the corona virus. This robs the gold winner of 2018 of the last chance to qualify on a sporting level. For a start in China, a lot would have to come together.
SAfter a positive corona test two weeks before the opening, kisprung Olympic champion Andreas Wellinger is threatened with the final end of the Winter Games in Beijing. The 26-year-old had to cancel his journey to Titisee-Neustadt for the World Cup on Friday and isolate himself immediately after receiving a positive test result. Wellinger actually wanted to use his last chance in the Black Forest to qualify for the big event in China (February 4th to 20th). But nothing came of it.
“What can I say? My knee is better again, I got medical clearance that I could jump. Then the shit Corona comes in between, ”said the Bavarian in a first statement. Wellinger had to skip the competitions in Zakopane last week after feeling a stab in his knee. He has a CT value that is over 30, “but unfortunately counts positively,” Wellinger said. “Unfortunately, unfortunately, I can’t jump in Neustadt. That is extremely bitter.”
Even more bitterly, it will likely cost the 2018 Pyeongchang gold winner one last real shot at the Beijing ticket. National coach Stefan Horngacher has so far nominated Karl Geiger, Markus Eisenbichler and Stephan Leyhe. The candidates for the other two places are Wellinger, Severin Freund, Pius Paschke and Constantin Schmid. Wellinger is not only missing the last test – there are also question marks as to when Wellinger will be negative again and how easy it will be to enter China.
No flight to China? Andreas Wellinger will hardly be able to defend his title
Quelle: Getty Images/Jasmin Walter
Horngacher wants to wait and see
On Friday, however, Horngacher initially left open how he would decide. “I don’t want to talk about Beijing just yet. Tomorrow is the last competition before the nomination. We will then announce on Saturday after the competition who is nominated,” said the head coach from Tyrol in Titisee-Neustadt of ARD. In contrast to the trio Paschke, Schmid and Freund, Wellinger can no longer advertise for himself in the singles on Saturday.
“I’m in good health, I don’t notice anything,” said Wellinger. Unfortunately, he just exceeded the limit in terms of value. “You can’t say anything other than ‘shit went’.” Wellinger made it clear via Instagram that he wouldn’t give up that quickly. Ex-jumper and expert Sven Hannawald said: “Of course I’m incredibly sorry for him.” But Wellinger could still be considered as a substitute if there were further short-term corona failures in the German team before or during the winter games
