James, Radford may skip trials
Pair can still make Beijing Olympics after recovering from COVID-19
The final few weeks of Olympic preparation are pressure enough, says figure skater Eric Radford.
Now Canada’s elite athletes have the spectre of COVID-19 threatening to derail their Olympic dreams before they even get to Beijing.
Radford and pairs partner Vanessa James are recovering from COVID-19 that could keep them out of the Canadian championships and Olympic trials this week in Ottawa. And the fact they’ve already had the virus might make them two of the lucky ones.
“Preparing for any competition, and especially the Olympics, is difficult enough,” Radford said. “It’s one of the most stressful times of an athlete’s life. Vanessa and I — and I think every athlete is probably thinking and feeling the same thing right now — there’s this invisible minefield laid out in front of you over the next few weeks, as you try to dodge COVID and not become positive in the next couple of weeks, while trying to train for one of the biggest moments of your life.
“There are already stories rolling in about COVID dashing Olympic dreams. I hope athletes are being as vigilant as they possibly can over these next couple of weeks.”
James, who had planned to visit family over the Christmas break, had a positive PCR test on Dec. 23. Radford began feeling symptoms that day and tested positive on Boxing Day. The two have been in isolation and were only able to get back on the ice together Monday.
“It’s a strange thing to say, but it’s almost better timing that we got it now … possibly preventing a positive test heading into Olympics,” Radford said.
“A lot of all of these athletes are all in the same boat. And we all are hoping and wishing the best for everybody else.”
James, of Toronto, and Radford, from Balmerton, Ont., said they will decide by Thursday whether or not to compete this week, but are hopeful they can still be selected to the Canadian team based on results this season.
Canada will announce its Olympic figure skating team Sunday.