World’s top ski jumper Marita Kramer tested positive for coronavirus

Austria’s women’s team has withdrawn from the Ski Jumping World Cup in Willingen after superstar Marita Kramer tested positive for coronavirus.

“Despite the strictest conditions and all possible precautions, Marita Kramer tested positive for COVID-19 during the last routine PCR test before she left for the Olympics”, said the Austrian Ski Federation in a statement.

It added that the goal of the 20-year-old Marita Kramer “is to compete in the Olympics”, whose victory on Saturday in Willingen was the sixth in a season in which she dominates. Marita Kramer is the favorite for gold at the Beijing Games, which start on February 4, but is facing a race against time to participate. Once there is a positive test, it must pass four negative tests in order to be admitted to China.

“The athlete has no symptoms and is feeling well. After consulting with local authorities, the team decided not to participate in today’s competition”, said the International Ski Federation said. Kramer’s teammates tested negative.

Sara Marita Kramer is a Dutch-born Austrian ski jumper. She qualified for the 2022 Winter Olympics and was considered one of the gold medal favorites. She was leading the ranking of the 2021–22 FIS Ski Jumping World Cup before the Olympics.