A few hours away from achieving one of his major career goals, Laurent Dubreuil contracted COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from the world sprint championship when he was in first place after a day of competition.
“I feel like I’ve had a world championship title stolen from me,” Dubreuil said Friday noon during a virtual meeting with Canadian media. I have no doubt that I would have won. No one could beat me, but COVID-19 succeeded. It’s no one’s fault or mine because I took all the necessary precautions, but I’m really disappointed. »
Because he was changing countries and had to leave for the Netherlands on Saturday, in anticipation of the World Cup finals which will take place next weekend, Dubreuil underwent a PCR test on Friday morning, unlike the previous days when only a rapid test was needed.
Negative rapid test
“If I had left a day later for the Netherlands, I would be on the ice,” he explained while watching the last pairs of the 500m event at the same time. My rapid test was negative as was the second. I couldn’t believe my PCR was positive. I was in shock when the coaches told me the news. My previous two PCR tests before today’s came back negative. »
Photo AFP
In shock after the announcement of his positive test for COVID-19, Laurent Dubreuil is convinced that he would have won the world championship.
A second PCR test gave the same result. Dubreuil also underwent a test to measure CT values. The result was considered too low by the doctors, who forbade him to start. Low values mean the person is contagious.
“I feel good, I have no symptoms and I am convinced that I could have had as good races as Thursday and that my results would have been comparable, underlined the silver medalist of the Beijing Olympics on 1000m. I was removed not for health reasons, but to prevent me from giving it to others. I had the legs to win when I arrived in Norway and I proved it on the first day. »
No health measures
The Norwegian reality, and Europe as a whole, is very different from that in Canada.
“There are no longer any measures in Europe. People walk around as if COVID-19 no longer exists. Hotel staff do not wear masks. You may be careful, but if an employee sneezes in the buffet, you can catch the virus. Athletes are more at risk. »
In his preparation for the Games, Dubreuil had taken all possible measures to reduce the risks.
“My wife telecommuted for a month and a half before I left for China and we took our daughter out of daycare for the same period,” he said. A positive case would have been even more disappointing at the Games, but there was no risk once there since we were in a very tight bubble. »
Second behind Dubreuil after one day, Dutchman Thomas Krol won the second 1000m and was crowned world champion. World champion in 2017, his compatriot Kai Verbij took silver, and Norwegian Havard Holmefjord Lorentzen completed the podium.
The goal of winning a gold medal at the World Sprint Championship was at the top of Laurent Dubreuil’s list of priorities.
Photo AFP
With a victory in Norway after his second place in 2020, Laurent Dubreuil would have become only the second Quebecer in history to win gold in the world sprint after the coronation of Gaétan Boucher in the 1984 edition.
“If there’s a World Cup I wanted to win, it’s this one,” Dubreuil said. This title is more important to me than my victory in the 500m at the Worlds by distance last year. Winning world sprint gold means you are versatile, consistent and the championship also has a longer history starting in 1972 compared to 1996 for distance worlds. »
Every two years
The disappointment is all the greater as the event now takes place every two years instead of being contested on an annual basis.
“Where will I be in my career in two years, asked Dubreuil. Will I still be good enough to aim for victory? I had a golden opportunity to win this year. I’ve worked so hard to improve my 1000m over the years and I was now on the level to compete. »
If he will have to spend a few days in confinement in Norway, Dubreuil nevertheless wishes to be able to take the start of the World Cup finals presented on March 12 and 13 in Heerenveen in the Netherlands.
“In Europe the rules are more flexible than going back to Canada and I expect to be able to skate. There is a Dutchman who contracted the virus in his country five or six days ago and he will be able to skate tomorrow (Saturday). I hope to do the same in the reverse way. It would be too disappointing to end my season on this note. »
“To compete in real races and win a medal or two would not make me forget my disappointment, to chase the leader in the cumulative World Cup standings in the 500m, but it would be a balm. »