Team Finland and Team Switzerland have had players affected by norovirus
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NEED TO KNOW
- Norovirus has affected Team Finland and Team Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Finland’s hockey game against Canada was postponed after a breakout on the women’s team
- Team Switzerland’s women’s hockey team did not walk at the opening ceremony after a player came down with the virus
The Olympic Village is all fun and games — until someone catches the highly contagious norovirus.
The notorious stomach virus has been slowly making its way through a few women’s hockey teams, prompting delays and postponements at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
On Feb. 5, the Games announced that the women’s Finland versus Canada ice hockey game would be postponed after Team Finland experienced a norovirus breakout.
“The decision was taken following consultations with medical professionals after cases of norovirus were identified within Team Finland,” the Games said in a press release. “It was made collectively and in accordance with established health and safety principles, with the health and wellbeing of players, team staff, officials and all tournament participants as the highest priority.”
The release acknowledged the “disappointment” of the postponement, but said it was a “responsible and necessary decision that reflects the spirit of the Olympic Games and the integrity of the competition.”
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Thirteen members of Team Finland were either infected with the virus or in quarantine, the Associated Press reported. General manager Kimmo Oikarinen told the outlet on Feb. 6 that while the illnesses were “disappointing,” things were “getting better for the team."
“Forfeit is the last thing we want to do. I don’t believe we will go there. I do not see that happening,” he said. “It is the Olympic Games, and we have been waiting for this for years. We all wanted to play, but there are things that happen. The main focus was to make sure our players will be healthy as soon as possible.”
Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most people with the illness get better within one to three days, they can still spread the virus for a few days after.
Meanwhile, the Swiss Hockey Federation announced on Feb. 6 that one of its female hockey players had also tested positive for norovirus, shortly after Team Switzerland beat the Czech Republic in a hockey game.
The organization’s statement said the infected athlete had been housed in a single room since she arrived at the Olympic Village on Monday, Feb. 2, and was isolated from the team after she started exhibiting symptoms.
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Though the athlete was symptom-free as of Feb. 6, the team was isolated after the match, and the women’s Swiss national hockey team did not take part in the opening ceremony.
The Swiss Hockey Federation said on Saturday, Feb. 7 that the team will go ahead with their game against Canada as planned, because no one else has exhibited symptoms.
"The incubation period has now passed. Thanks to the immediate response and the prompt isolation of the affected player and the team, the potential chain of infection was broken early on,” said Hanspeter Betscharat, chief medical officer for the Swiss Olympic team. "From a medical perspective, there are currently no concerns about the match taking place, provided no further players show symptoms.”
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