The event would have marked the first time Michio Green competed internationally. (Submitted photo/Michio Green)

By Derek Cornet

cancelled

Omicron variant ends biathlete’s plan to compete in Switzerland this month

Dec 8, 2021 | 12:07 PM

The COVID-19 Omicron variant has effectively ended Michio Green’s plan to attend an international sporting competition this month.

The 2021 International University Sports Federation’s Winter Universiade in Lucerne, Switzerland was supposed to begin Dec. 11, but Green found out last week it was cancelled. Organizers blamed the Omicron variant for the decision as new restrictions put in place in Switzerland will make it difficult for athletes to enter the country.

Green had been selected to compete in biathlon and it would have marked his first international event.

“It is disappointing as it has been something I have been looking forward to for the past four years and to have it cancelled just a week or two before the actual event starting,” he said. “I understand it is a very serious situation and there is nothing I can really do about it anymore. I kind of decided to move beyond it now and look forward to the future.”

The Winter Universiade is a celebration of international university sports and culture. With several thousand student-athletes competing in each event edition, the FISU World University Games is among the world’s largest winter multi-sports competition.

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In November, Green launched an online fundraising campaign to pay for race fees, accommodations, flights, and a Swiss COVID certificate. He raised a total of $4,475 and he now plans to use the money to pay for team fees, along with national and international racing.

“I sent out an overall email to all the people who supported me for the event,” Green said, adding he’s happy to provide a refund to anyone who wants one.

Green is hopeful the Canada Biathlon Nationals will go ahead as planned in March 2022 in Quebec. He’s also looking to earn a spot next year on Canada’s International Biathlon Union Team, which would require a lot of training in the summer to be prepared for trials.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno