The 30-year-old doesn't want to take any chances because of the Olympics. After all: the corona test was negative.
The European Rowing Championship in Varese has ended prematurely for Austria's Olympic starter Magdalena Lobnig. The Carinthian woman, who was suffering from health problems, decided on Saturday morning after the break-in with her coaches not to take part in the single semifinals. Deep coughs and swollen lymph nodes could have gotten worse. After another negative corona test, the 30-year-old started the journey home.
“That hurts, of course! I've never signed off from a race, I've always bitten through. As an athlete, you want to race and compete for medals,” said Lobnig. But she lacked power, so the decision was correct. “It just doesn't stand for it.”
In addition to the physical warning signals, the weather report also played a decisive role. Rain and a drop in temperature are predicted for the final Sunday. “The worst would be if the illness broke out in full and we had to completely change our training in the next few weeks. With regard to my big goal, the Olympic Games in Tokyo, we don't want to take any risks.”
So nothing came of the targeted fifth EM medal. Lobnig will undergo an in-depth investigation on Monday. If the illness is over quickly, the Olympic sixth in Rio 2016 is hoping for a warm training camp soon.
