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Match between Russia and Canada at the U20 World Cup
Photo: Jason Franson / imago images / ZUMA Press
The U20 World Cup for ice hockey juniors in Canada has been canceled in the middle of the tournament due to the rising corona numbers.
In view of the widespread use of the Omikron variant, the step was necessary in order to guarantee "the health and safety of all participants," said the world association IIHF.
"The general pandemic situation, the strict Covid protocol and above all the protection of the health of all players and those involved left no alternative," said Franz Reindl, President of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) and member of the IIHF Council: "I do the infinitely sorry for our team.
I hope everyone comes home safe. "
DEB sports director Christian Künast also welcomed the decision: “That is the most sensible solution.
The top priority must be that all players stay healthy, "he said in an interview with MagentaSport:" It was right that we tried it. "
Both Russia and the Czech Republic had to quarantine the defending champion USA's team for 24 hours after a corona case on Wednesday and could not play their group game.
The three opponents were initially awarded a 1-0 victory.
Other junior tournaments canceled in advance
"We started this tournament with full confidence in the Covid-19 protocols," said IIHF President Luc Tardif in a statement: "The continued spread and the Omikron variant forced us to write the protocols almost immediately after arrival adapt.
Unfortunately that wasn't enough.
Now we have to take the time and focus on getting all players and team members home safely. "
The tournament in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, was supposed to run through January 5th.
The German team started the tournament with a 1: 3 against Finland and a 2: 1 after extra time against the Czech Republic.
The U20 World Cup, which is particularly popular in Canada and the USA, had started even though the world association IIHF had canceled all of the youth tournaments planned for January.
This also affected the U18 women's World Cup in Sweden, in which Germany would also have participated.
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