The Finnish women’s hockey team is dealing with a norovirus outbreak, which forced the postponement of Thursday’s scheduled game between Finland and Canada.
A Finnish Ice Hockey Association spokesperson told The Associated Press that 13 players had either been infected or placed in quarantine.
“While all stakeholders recognize the disappointment of not playing the game as originally scheduled, this was a responsible and necessary decision that reflects the spirit of the Olympic Games and the integrity of the competition,” Olympic officials announced.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus often referred to as the “stomach bug.” It causes vomiting and diarrhea and can lead to a loss of dehydration. Norovirus can pose a particular risk to athletes due to the potential for spread in close-contact environments like locker rooms.
