Head coach admits to faking Covid vaccination for Olympics

Team Switzerland's men's national team head coach Patrick Fischer has released a statement admitting that he faked COVID-19 vaccination certificates in 2022 in order to get past regulations at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Read the release below:

We are aware that this statement comes at a particular time, shortly before the home World Cup. Nevertheless, it is important to us to provide clarity and resolve this matter transparently.

Our head coach, Patrick Fischer, travelled to the 2022 Olympic Games with a certificate attesting to a Covid vaccination, without the knowledge of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation or Swiss Olympic, even though he had not received one. He was convicted as a private individual in 2023 and fully accepted the resulting consequences.

Patrick Fischer stated: “I would like to address a personal matter ahead of the home World Championships. Before the Winter Olympics in Beijing, I entered China using an invalid Covid vaccination certificate. The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation, Swiss Olympic, and my entourage were unaware of this.”

Apart from this incident, I have always abided by the law and am aware of my role as a role model. I am very sorry if I disappointed anyone with this situation. I was in an exceptional personal crisis because I didn't want to be vaccinated. Nevertheless, I absolutely did not want to let my team down at the Olympic Games.

I acknowledge that I made a serious mistake in this matter. I stand by it and accept full responsibility. I have borne the resulting consequences and paid the fines.

I deeply regret the situation that has arisen and its potential impact on my family, the association, and the public. I have learned from this mistake and will apply the appropriate lessons to my future conduct.

I thank the association for their trust, now focus on the upcoming home World Championship and look forward to experiencing a sporting celebration of ice hockey together with the team and the fans.

Urs Kessler, President of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation, said: “As a federation, we have taken note of this and find it commendable that Patrick Fischer has gone public with his mistake. This demonstrates personal responsibility and character. We have discussed the matter thoroughly with Fischer. He has accepted the consequences. For us, the matter is now closed. We are now looking forward to the upcoming home World Championship with Patrick Fischer and the entire team. Our focus is entirely on sporting success.”

Incredibly, Fischer is facing no punishment from the IIHF and will in fact be coaching Swizterland at the upcoming World Championships.

Regardless of your thoughts on vaccination and the COVID-19 pandemic, it's wild to me that Fischer is facing no punishment for essentially falsifying an official document required to participate in an IIHF tournament.

If that doesn't warrant a suspension, then what does? Just more proof that the IIHF is entirely toothless.