Norovirus Outbreak Hits Olympics: Hockey Game Called Off After Virus Infects Team
After the sports world reeled from the news that a top NHL prospect is now facing criminal charges, the Olympic Games have been struck by their own chaos. A norovirus outbreak has forced a key game to be called off for now.
Norovirus Outbreak Rocks Olympics: Finland Hockey Game vs Canada Postponed
Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images
On February 5, 2026, the CBC reported that a highly anticipated hockey opener between Canada and Finland had been postponed. A norovirus outbreak struck the Finnish team hard, forcing the game to be postponed for a week to February 12, 2026. Prior to that decision, Finnish officials were considering forfeiting the game. In the true spirit of Olympic competition, it is wonderful that a forfeiture wasn't necessary.
Unfortunately, the report detailed the fact that 13 players from Finland's team were either infected with norovirus or in quarantine. Symptoms first appeared two days before the postponement announcement, after the team held a full practice. Since Olympic hockey teams' rosters have 25 players, more than half of the Finnish team have been sidelined for now. A joint statement from the International Olympic Committee, the International Ice Hockey Federation, and the organizing committee explained: "The decision was taken following consultations with medical professionals after cases of norovirus were identified within Team Finland."
Putting off Finland's first game will give the team two extra days to recover and hopefully get into game shape. They are set to play against the U.S. on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Finland’s Head Coach, Tero Lehterä, Spoke Out About His Sick Team and Their First Game Being Postponed
Finnish HC Tero Lehtera on the adversity Finland is facing:
— Claire Hanna (@clahanna) February 5, 2026
“It might become a strength, I gotta think positive. We might be stronger but we gotta come out of the corner. You never know.” @CBCOlympics #Olympics pic.twitter.com/1xRLgsk3Cg
After his team's first game was postponed, Finland's head coach, Tero Lehterä, spoke to the press about the decision and outlook. As the CBC reported, he explained why he refused to risk spreading the illness to their opponents or let his players take to the ice shorthanded.
"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. I couldn't risk my players if they were ill yesterday to play tonight because that would be wrong against the individual."
Lehterä also spoke about staying optimistic about how this twist could benefit his team in the 2026 Olympic Games. It might become a strength. I got to think positive. We might be stronger when we come out of this. You never know. Some things might happen, you never know what happens. And you only worry about the things that we can affect. And this is not something we can do anything about it. We have no say whether we play or not. It's not up to us. When we're told to show up, we show up. Whether it's five, six, seven, 15 or 20 [players]."