KEY POINTS
- Patrizia Kummer said quarantine was the only "logical consequence"
- China insists all unvaccinated Olympians to undergo strict quarantine
- The 2022 Winter Games will begin on Feb. 4
An unvaccinated snowboarder has opted to quarantine for three weeks in China instead of getting jabbed ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Patrizia Kummer of Switzerland has not been vaccinated for "personal reasons," a statement from Switzerland's ski federation said Tuesday.
"After my personal decision not to be vaccinated, quarantine is the logical consequence. I respect the regulations of the authorities and the IOC [International Olympic Committee]," Kummer was quoted by South China Morning Post.
As part of its zero-COVID policy, China has asked all unvaccinated Olympians to undergo three weeks of quarantine on arrival if they cannot produce a valid medical exemption. The Winter Games will begin on Feb. 4.
This means Kummer, a gold medallist in the parallel giant slalom at the 2014 Sochi Games, will have to arrive in Beijing this week. She finished 16th four years later in Pyeongchang.
Though the snowboarder doesn't yet have a confirmed spot on the Swiss Olympic roster, she says she meets its selection criteria. Kummer is currently ranked 17th in the slalom World Cup standings.
Kummer's decision comes amid unvaccinated Tennis star Novak Djokovic's bid to get around rules to participate in the Australian Open. Though his visa was revoked over technical issues on arrival in Melbourne, the Serbian player approached a court in Australia, which granted him permission to continue in the country.
But China is ensuring stricter measures as part of its zero-COVID-19 policy. It has barred foreign spectators, with only residents of mainland China allowed into events.
The country has also put up an Olympic bubble wherein media, athletes and observers will be segregated in three distinct bubbles. According to the rules, anyone entering these bubbles must be fully vaccinated or spend 21 days in quarantine. COVID-19 testing will be carried out on a daily basis and face masks are required at all times.
Once foreign participants enter these bubbles, they are not allowed to step out until they leave the country. Apart from restricting any physical contact with the outside world, including their families, the country has arranged closed-loop airports and high-speed rail systems for participants since most venues are outside Beijing.
China is battling several outbreaks of the coronavirus weeks ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics Photo: AFP / STR
