Cross-country skier Nicole Fessel has to give up the start in the Olympic skiathlon of Pyeongchang at short notice. The 34-year-old Oberstdorfer, who was 34 years old, decided against an operation immediately before the start of the race in consultation with the team leader.
“I had barely a voice in the last few days, but physically it went quite well. However, I just couldn’t breathe properly when I entered today. That doesn’t make any sense and I have decided not to run”, said Fessel:”I hope that I will get fit quickly now, so that I can be there again at the next races”.
Sports director Andreas Schlütter said:”Nicole has had problems with the vocal chords for a long time. Two days ago we made a more intensive unit, after that everything was fine. But this morning before the race it was much worse again. With regard to the team competitions, we decided against a start.”
Only Stefanie Böhler (Ibach), Katharina Hennig (Oberwiesenthal) and Victoria Carl (Zella-Mehlis) will be competing for Germany in the first medal of Pyeongchang.