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Steffi Kriegerstein
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Robert Michael / dpa
The Olympic runner-up in Rio de Janeiro in the kayak foursome, Steffi Kriegerstein, has to do without a start at the Olympic Games in Tokyo due to a disease of Covid-19.
The 28-year-old world-class athlete from the Dresden Canoe Club is not only missing out on the first German qualification this Easter weekend in Duisburg, but also on the summer games in Japan.
"To make it short: No," said Kriegerstein of the "Sächsische Zeitung" and ruled out a start in the internal races.
The »Bild« had also reported on it.
Kriegerstein was infected with the corona virus in December.
Although she traveled to the training camp in Belek / Turkey with the German national team at the end of January, she still feels the aftermath.
"Sometimes I was so nauseous and dizzy that I didn't dare to drive," emphasized Kriegerstein.
Although she completed intensive examinations, she came to the decision in consultation with the association doctor and the national coach to end the season.
“Health now has priority!
Big goals that have been the focus of the last 4 years are now no longer within reach, «said Kriegerstein herself on Wednesday on her Instagram page.
Kriegerstein's heart-lung volume has become significantly smaller.
“As soon as the pulse snaps above 140 or 150, I get an extreme feeling of pressure in my head, the muscles are not supplied with enough oxygen, the lungs burn.
It all comes in batches, ”she explained.
The end of her career still leaves her open.
Her goal in summer is training without pain and side effects.
At an online press conference on Tuesday, the President of the German Canoe Association (DKV), Thomas Konietzko, again initiated a discussion as to whether top German athletes should be vaccinated.
“Surprisingly, in a survey, a large majority of those questioned were in favor of the German Olympians traveling to Tokyo vaccinated.
And in other countries it looks like vaccination is already taking place, «explained Konietzko.
ara / dpa
