Austrian Alpine Team Starts Training Camp With Covid-19 Tests

With the gradual opening of the sports facilities in Austria, the ÖSV will also start its training programmes for the alpine athletes at the beginning of May in order to prepare the winter season. "The health of our athletes and their coaches is our first priority", assures ÖSV President Peter Schröcksnadel, who has been working on this project together with ÖSV-Sport in the past weeks. All ÖSV employees, athletes, trainers and coaches from all areas will be tested for COVID-19 with so-called PCR tests. "The alpine athletes, in particular, are tested twice. Before arriving at the training camp to make sure that they are not infected and before departure to make sure that they have not been infected during training. This double tests, not only protect our athletes but also their personal environment. We are also planning a scientific study with experts on antibody testing.” says Schröcksnadel.

The minimum stay at the ski camp location for athletes and coaches is eight days. The ÖSV teams train within their small group structure and avoid contact with third parties. Care is taken to ensure that all regulations regarding the use of sports facilities have strictly adhered. All participants have received precise instructions.

The athletes have been provided with up-to-date information and instructed on behavioural measures since the beginning of the Corona crisis. The measures of the ÖSV were developed together with the physician Dr Wolfgang Schobesberger from Innsbruck. "All athletes and their support staff were prepared for the start of training and instructed to avoid any risk of infection. For us, the rule is: be always more cautious than prescribed", explains ÖSV sports director Toni Giger, who is responsible for the implementation of the measures. "Even in these difficult times, our athletes should be a role model to positively motivate others to do sports", emphasizes ÖSV President Schröcksnadel.