Author Topic: The 2026 Winter Olympic Games Illness Tracking Thread (Read 1514 times)

Data Report · « **on:** February 01, 2026, 11:04:44 pm »

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be taking place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to February 22, 2026. This will be the tracking thread for any illness that pops up before, during, and after the Olympic Games. The definition of illness before the games is anyone who has to withdraw and not attend due to an illness. Based on previous Olympics during the Covid era, I suspect we will see many illness outbreaks.

Data Report · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2026, 11:05:56 pm »

This did not take long; we already have our first Olympic related illness.

"Two staff members working with Australia's Winter Olympic team have tested positive to COVID-19.

The individuals, who will not be competing at the 25th edition of the Olympic Winter Games, were symptomatic and tested positive on January 28 and 31, with measures in place to contain any possible spread of infection. "

Source of information.

1. ABC.net

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-02/winter-olympics-2026-australia-staff-covid-19/106294228

Masked Man · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2026, 10:33:26 am »

Stolz wins 500, opts not to race the 1,500 due to fatigue from illness

Jordan Stolz won the men's 500-meter race at the Pettit National Ice Center on Sunday early afternoon January 4 in Milwaukee.
He pulled the best time of the day at 34.761 – even though he has been sick

Portrait of Lori Nickel Lori Nickel
Milwaukee Journal Sentine Jan. 4, 2026

For that race – which took place later Sunday afternoon – Stolz will just go to the line but not skate the full race.It’s an option that he has – and that he earned – being a pre-qualifier. Stolz was so dominant all season long as the No. 1 ranked points earner in the ISU World Cup season that he basically just needed to show up during these trials. The reason for his decision is simple. Stolz isn’t feeling well. He’s sick, and congested, and it is clear that he’s not his normal self.

“Yeah, I’m not to happy with 9.8,” said Stolz on Sunday after the race. “9.8 is three-tenths off where it should be. I’m a little tired from training and then from getting a little sick."...“See how I feel,” said Stolz. “I’ve just done a lot of training and coming in to this weekend I had a small cold. I didn’t get the recovery I needed in the two days leading up to competition. And after the 1,000 yesterday, I feel pretty tired.”

LINK:
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/01/04/stolz-wins-500-opts-not-to-race-the-1500-due-to-fatigue-from-illness/87997274007/

Masked Man · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2026, 10:36:22 am »

Rosie Brennan qualifies for third Olympics despite World Cup absences
Avatar photo by Jack Singer January 30, 2026

Park City cross country skier Rosie Brennan qualified for her third Olympic Games on Jan. 21, despite missing two World Cups this season.

Brennan, 37, has battled a lingering mystery illness for about a year now.

"it’s also been immensely challenging to push on when I know my body isn’t where it should be.”

Brennan said it’s been incredibly tough to navigate the ever-changing nature of what her body can and cannot handle due to the illness."

LINK:
https://www.parkrecord.com/2026/01/30/rosie-brennan-qualifies-for-third-olympics-despite-world-cup-absences/

Masked Man · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2026, 02:03:28 pm »

Finland's women's hockey team cancels Olympic practice after stomach bug affects players
The Associated Press · Posted: Feb 04, 2026

Finland's national women's hockey team cancelled practice Wednesday due to a stomach illness affecting at least four players, a team spokesman confirmed to The Associated Press.
"We're reviewing a difficult situation," Henna Malmberg said a day before Finland is scheduled to open the Milan-Cortina Olympics against defending champion Canada in Italy.

Finland's national public broadcaster Yle first reported four players experienced stomach problems overnight due to what's believed to be a norovirus. The players have spent the day isolated in their rooms, the broadcaster reported.

LINK:
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/hockey/finland-olympic-womens-hockey-team-illness-milan-9.7073968

Masked Man · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2026, 02:06:51 pm »

Grant Fisher
2x Olympic bronze medalist + indoor 3000m/5000m world record holder is out of today’s men’s two-mile at the Millrose Games due to illness.
Feb1,2026

LINK:

View this post on Instagram

Masked Man · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2026, 04:50:46 pm »

Johan-Olav Botn, Biathlete and his partner, cross-country skier Karoline Simpson-Larsen, were struck down by gastroenteritis ahead of 2026 Olympics
Jan 30,2026

LINK:
https://www.nordicmag.info/en/biathlon-another-illness-ahead-of-the-2026-olympics-johan-olav-botn-stricken-by-gastroenteritis-0130/

Data Report · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2026, 07:29:50 am »

The 2026 disaster continues...
Olympic hockey match postponed after illness sidelines 13 players

Source of information.

1. MSN.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/olympic-hockey-match-postponed-after-illness-sidelines-13-players/ar-AA1VOaNl?ocid=socialshare

Data Report · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2026, 11:29:05 am »

Biathlon-Germany's Horn relishes individual race return after illness.

Source of information.

1. The Straits Times.

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/biathlon-germanys-horn-relishes-individual-race-return-after-illness

Masked Man · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2026, 04:22:43 pm »

Some Olympic athletes are taking extra precautions in 2026 so we have to include this special Data Report message and news report brief to pay homage to these Olympic athletes who are masking and taking precautions...

Can We Learn Something From Olympic Athletes Who Have Had Covid?

by
Data Report
Independent reporter that provides daily virus updates on Covid and other
viruses that are a threat to our daily lives.

"In this video we discuss if we can learn anything from Olympic athletes who take precautions to avoid getting sick".
Feb 10, 2026

LINK:

&

Olympians who got COVID in 2022 are using masks, sanitizer and vitamins for the Milan Games

"Some Olympians who missed the 2022 Beijing Games because they got COVID-19 are taking extra precautions in Italy. The face masks, hand sanitizer and vitamins"

LINK:
https://www.kvue.com/article/syndication/associatedpress/olympians-who-got-covid-in-2022-are-using-masks-sanitizer-and-vitamins-for-the-milan-games/616-7227577a-6494-4579-bc31-1f20ad24e300

COMMENT:
Some of the Olympics athletes are taking precautions. Excellent!

Here's a link to inspire the Olympic athletes to mask. I wear a mask during strenuous exercise and athletics so here's my
"Masked Man's Bicycle Ride And Other Videos set to Music To Inspire Others To Mask" LINK:
https://www.datareport.info/miscellaneous-discussions/masked-man's-bicycle-ride-today-set-to-music-to-inspire-others-to-mask-up/
&
So that I may make a point, Let us assume for the time being, one of the reasons the Olympic athletes are wearing masks is because when they get covid they get disqualified in the Olympics..the athletes aren't able to do what they love because they got sick,... so now some athletes are masking and taking precautions so that they can do what they love ..That's what I do! I wear a mask and do the things I love like Bicycling! In other words, I wear a mask for my health so that I am always able to do the things I love like ride a bicycle plus I am always safer going in unchartered territory in my mask while I ride the bicycle.. I wear a mask for my health so that I can always do the things I love...You see I mask because I take everything I do in life as seriously as these Olympic athletes who are taking precautions take the Olympics. Olympic athletes who take precautions are masking because they love the Olympics and want to be in the Olympics while I am masking because I love life and want to participate in life freely without being disqualified or hindered by ill health or disease. Athletes love the Olympics so much they will mask for it and I love Life and everything I do enough to secure the continuation of my favorite activities by masking for those activities! Some athletes love the Olympics enough to mask for it and I love life enough to mask for it!

LINK:

Hey 'Sport'!, Wear a mask for your health, & see if you can even keep up with me on a bicycle!,
The Masked Man

P.S. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cureworth a pound of cure" is a famous proverb coined by Benjamin Franklin in 1735, signifying that it is easier and more efficient to stop a problem from happening than to fix it after it has occurred. Originally intended for fire safety, it now commonly highlights the importance of preventive health measures and proactive planning.

...Masked Man's 3M 7502 respirator mask typically weighs approximately 4.8 to 5 ounces so that is worth several pounds of cure!

They also say laughter is the best medicine...(wear a mask and take your medicine for your health regardless as to if this video is funny or not!)
Here's
Masked Olympia Quarintino Solo Martial Arts Division (Comedy)
LINK:

Masked Man · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2026, 04:23:42 pm »

(CNN) — Some Winter Olympics athletes are falling ill with norovirus, and Team USA says it’s staying “dialed in” to curb the spread of the common stomach bug.

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee is continuing measures to protect athletes from infections like norovirus, says Carrie Aprik, winter sports dietitian for the committee.

“These cases are a good reminder for us to stay dialed in our hygiene strategies — most importantly, frequent handwashing,” Aprik said in an email Tuesday. “We also encourage our whole delegation to stay in close contact with the medical staff as soon as any symptoms arise.”

(CNN) — Some Winter Olympics athletes are falling ill with norovirus, and Team USA says it’s staying “dialed in” to curb the spread of the common stomach bug.

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee is continuing measures to protect athletes from infections like norovirus, says Carrie Aprik, winter sports dietitian for the committee.

“These cases are a good reminder for us to stay dialed in our hygiene strategies — most importantly, frequent handwashing,” Aprik said in an email Tuesday. “We also encourage our whole delegation to stay in close contact with the medical staff as soon as any symptoms arise.”...

LINK:
https://www.wqow.com/sports/us-olympic-committee-remains-dialed-in-to-prevent-spread-of-stomach-illness-at-winter-games/article_41dbdfd7-4bab-59c9-b134-ebe097d41e5c.html

Masked Man · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2026, 04:25:19 pm »

Danny Casper overcame a mystery illness to land in Italy looking for curling gold in Olympics

Casper couldn't even think about curling after Guillain-Barré stripped him of the ability to perform even the most basic tasks
Danny Casper leads Team USA into the men's curling competition at the Milan Cortina Games.
Wed, February 11, 2026

"Doctors diagnosed Casper with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its nerves. There’s no cure for GBS, doctors told Casper, but with treatment and physical therapy, he could expect to fully recover in as little as eight months to a year".

LINK:
https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/article/what-about-getting-to-tomorrow-danny-casper-overcame-a-mystery-illness-to-land-in-italy-looking-for-curling-gold-in-olympics-204321891.html

Masked Man · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2026, 04:28:28 pm »

Winter Olympic athletes are rightfully taking COVID-19 precautions

Written by
Miles W. Griffis
February 10, 2026

"Still, the media stigmatizes disease prevention while minimizing serious risks of Long COVID."

"Despite a lack of COVID-19 precautions implemented by the 2026 Winter Olympics organizers in Italy, some athletes, teams, and their loved ones are protecting themselves from airborne pathogens by masking and isolating.

These precautions were put in the spotlight last week before the games officially began when some members of the U.S. men’s and women’s cross-country ski team attended press conferences in respirators. Then, on the way to Friday’s opening ceremony, some Olympians sported respirators and other high-quality masks, protecting themselves from COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens that could affect their health or performances — or, if they developed Long COVID, their careers."

"These framing choices have been criticized by many on social media as condescending and misleading, minimizing the very serious risks of COVID-19 and other pathogens that can cause long-term illness and disability."

LINK:
https://thesicktimes.org/2026/02/10/winter-olympic-athletes-are-rightfully-taking-covid-19-precautions/

COMMENT: I love this article and its writer for taking the reality of Long Covid seriously! Finally another writer on the cautious athletes side out there that isn't in a form of denial insofar as what is at stake and the repercussions of long covid!.

Masked Man · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2026, 04:36:37 pm »

Sáblíková withdraws from 3000 m race due to illness
02/07/2026

Czech speed skater Martina Sáblíková could not compete in the 3000 metres at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Friday due to illness, the Czech Olympic Committee said. The three-time Olympic champion said she is struggling to breathe and has a fever, and was advised by doctors not to start.

LINK:
https://english.radio.cz/sablikova-withdraws-3000-m-race-due-illness-8876997

Masked Man · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2026, 09:34:37 pm »

Jules Chappaz French cross-country skier was left in tears after a rough bout of gastroenteritis...

Jules Chappaz French cross-country skier was left in tears after a rough bout of gastroenteritis destroyed his 2026 Winter Olympic dream.

Winter Olympics star breaks down in tears as sickness and 'gas' stops medal bid
The athlete was devastated after the illness ruined his Olympic dream.

LINK:
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/2169894/winter-olympics-star-sickness-medal

Data Report

News:

User