Finland women's Olympic hockey game vs. Canada postponed after stomach virus depletes roster

MILAN (AP) — Finland women’s hockey team’s preliminary round-opening game against Canada on Thursday has been postponed due to a stomach virus depleting Finland’s roster.

The game was rescheduled to Feb. 12.

The decision to postpone the game was announced shortly after Finland completed its early afternoon practice with just eight skaters and two goalies. The remaining 13 players are either in quarantine or isolation due to a norovirus that began affecting the team on Tuesday night.

The postponement provides Finland two extra days to rest before playing the U.S. on Saturday. Had their game against Canada not been postponed, Finnish officials were considering the possibility of a forfeiture.

“While all stakeholders recognize the disappointment of not playing the game as originally scheduled, this was a responsible and necessary decision that reflects the spirit of the Olympic Games and the integrity of the competition,” Olympic officials announced.

“All stakeholders thank teams, partners and fans for their cooperation and understanding, and look forward to the rescheduled game being played under safe and appropriate conditions.”

Team Finland officials were already weighing the likelihood of not playing before the game was postponed.

Coach Tero Lehterä said it could be unfair to ask his 10 currently healthy players to compete in a full game. Lehterä also said the team has to take into account the possibility of Canadian opponents being infected as well.

“Most of them are getting better but not healthy enough to play. And there’s the chance that if we would play it could influence Team Canada and their health as well,” Lehterä said following practice.

“But I couldn’t risk my players if they were ill yesterday to play tonight because that would be wrong against the individual,” he added.

Lehterä said the first sign of the illness became apparent on Tuesday night — and after the team held a full practice earlier in the day.

The rescheduled game falls on the second of two consecutive off days during the women’s tournament, and a day before the quarterfinals open.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

A France men's ice hockey player moves the puck during a training session ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

MILAN (AP) — The IOC showed no interest Wednesday in putting pressure on 2028 Los Angeles Olympics chair Casey Wasserman over personal emails released in the latest Jeffrey Epstein files.

Wasserman has faced calls from lawmakers and those in political circles in L.A. to step down as chair of the city’s Olympic project he has led since it was first a hosting candidate 11 years ago.

International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry was asked Wednesday if Wasserman was still the right person to oversee the next Summer Games in light of flirtatious emails in 2003 exchanged with Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

“From the IOC point of view, the (organizing committee) and how they are structured is not something we are going to get involved into,” Coventry said.

The IOC leader spoke at a news conference one day after she shared a stage with Wasserman when the L.A. organizing team updated Olympic officials on their hosting plans.

“He has put out a statement and there is really nothing else for me to add,” Coventry said.

In the statement Saturday, Wasserman said “I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell,” which he said was “long before her horrific crimes came to light.”

Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on five counts of sex trafficking and abuse of minors, and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Wasserman is expected to remain in Milan with his L.A. team until after the opening ceremony of the Winter Games on Friday evening.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Casey Wasserman, Chairman of the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games speaks with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, during an IOC meeting ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Casey Wasserman, Chairman of the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games speaks during an IOC meeting ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)