MOSCOW, January 5, Sergey Pogrebnyak. Coach of the Russian national short track team Tatyana Borodulina said that the national team refused to compete in the Netherlands, which were to be held from 15 to 16 January. Earlier, the International Skating Union (ISU) canceled the European Short Track Speed Skating Championships, which was to be held in Germany from 14 to 16 January, due to the epidemiological situation and related restrictions. «After the cancellation of the European Championship, the Dutch invited us to a tournament in Leeuwarden. For example, the Dutch themselves, the Hungarians, the Germans and we were supposed to perform as Olympic teams. When we considered this option, the risks were minimal. Now they have become very serious. We also take into account the experience of skaters who were quarantined, although not everyone had positive tests, «Borodulina said.» We have to fly to the Olympic village on January 26, and oh there would be very little time. We decided to stay in Novogorsk so as not to lose athletes, «added Borodulina. The Winter Olympic Games will be held from 4 to 20 February in Beijing.
