The Ghost of the 'Noro' Virus Disrupts the Winter Olympics.. Hockey Stars Consider Escaping the Olympic Village

Health concerns are escalating within the corridors of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, following media reports that several players from the American Hockey League are contemplating leaving the Olympic village to stay in hotels outside, amid growing worries about the spread of the 'Noro' virus.

The Globe and Mail reported that some hockey stars expressed dissatisfaction with the comfort level inside the village, along with fears of infection, especially after cases of the virus were recorded among players from the women's teams of Finland and Switzerland, which heightened tension within the sports delegations.

In contrast, officials from the organizing committee rushed to deny the existence of any health or organizational crisis, asserting that conditions within the village are proceeding normally.

Communications Director Luca Casasa stated in remarks reported by the TASS agency that the Olympic village is operating at full capacity, emphasizing that the level of accommodation and food services is satisfactory to the athletes.

The 2026 edition marks the return of American Hockey League players to participate in the Olympics for the first time since the Sochi 2014 Games, during which the Canadian team won the gold medal.

It is noteworthy that the Finnish team, the defending champion from the last edition, began its journey in the current tournament with an early setback after losing to Slovakia 1-4, in a surprising turn of events as the competitions commenced.