- Anticipated Anxiety Regarding Paralympics due to Corona: "Fortune Also Plays a Role"
The somewhat disturbing Olympic images of German long jump champion Malaika Mihambo and American sprint star Noah Lyles, both of whom contracted COVID-19, have caused unease among German Paralympic Committee (DBS) officials leading up to the Paralympics in Paris. As per DBS President Friedhelm Julius Beucher, the infections served as a reminder that the virus is still a concern. "This poses a significant challenge for us as an organization," Beucher stated before the Paris event on this Wednesday.
Mihambo, who contracted the virus in June, had to leave Stade de France in a wheelchair after her silver medal win due to shortness of breath. Subsequently, she prematurely ended her season. Lyles, the 100-meter Olympic champion, contracted the virus on-site and, despite the infection, managed to win bronze in the 200 meters, but had to leave in a wheelchair and forgo his relay starts.
At least 40 athletes have officially tested positive for COVID-19 during the Summer Games in Paris, with the actual number presumably being much higher. As a result of the pandemic, the Tokyo 2021 and Beijing Games were mainly spectator-free. Now, the competitive atmosphere is being recreated to its fullest extent.
However, wheelchair basketball coach Michael Engel remains cautious. His men's national team's preparation for the Paris event was disrupted by positive COVID-19 tests. Engel explained, "We spent three weeks in Italy and experienced several cases with mild symptoms. This allowed us to reintegrate the temporarily absent players quickly." Engel emphasized the importance of being vigilant. "Each athlete can assess themselves. If you have any symptoms, you can get tested," he said. "We are not going blindly, but we must proceed with caution. However, there are certain things we cannot control."
Preparations not always go as planned
American athlete Hunter Woodhall contracted the virus just two weeks before the Paralympics. Woodhall, whose wife Tara Davis-Woodhall won gold in the long jump, embraced her during the celebration, attracting the attention of many spectators. Following his infection, Woodhall posted on social media, "I knew it was a risk with so many people celebrating and traveling. It's not an excuse, I'll recover and be ready for the Paralympics." Since then, Woodhall has returned to Paris. According to his own statement, there were doubts about his starts due to his infection.
German shot put champion Niko Kappel of VfB Stuttgart remains calm about the situation. He said, "At the moment, I have no worries in this regard. Of course, I'm careful and avoid unnecessary risks, but I'm not thinking about it."
Mask-free at the opening ceremony
Although the DBS does not provide guidelines for the German delegation's athletes regarding their behavior, Beucher stated, "We will be carrying masks and appropriate disinfectants with us. However, we will not be wearing masks at the opening ceremony on the Champs-Élysées." According to the DBS's medical team, the basic requirement is to maintain proper hygiene measures.
However, athletes with spinal cord injuries at or above the chest level, or those with muscle diseases, should exercise caution due to their weakened respiratory musculature, advises leading physician Anja Hirschmüller. "If bacteria or viruses are present in the air, they can more easily settle in the lungs and cause pneumonia," Hirschmüller explained. Additionally, athletes with certain disabilities may have a reduced immune system due to their disability or medications.
Despite the prevalence of COVID-19 cases among athletes during the Paralympics in Paris, France, German shot put champion Niko Kappel remains unfazed. He stated, "I'm not thinking about it, I'm avoiding unnecessary risks, but I'm not worried."
The German Paralympic Committee's (DBS) President, Friedhelm Julius Beucher, mentioned that they will carry masks and disinfectants with them during the Games, but they will not wear masks at the opening ceremony on the Champs-Élysées.
