Swiss ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer admitted he used a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter China for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
The disclosure arrives as Fischer prepares to conclude his leadership of the Swiss national team. He will step down from his post following the upcoming World Championship in Zurich and Fribourg.
In an official statement, Fischer revealed that the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation and the Swiss Olympic Committee were unaware of his actions during the 2022 Games. The admission highlights a breach of the strict health protocols enforced by Chinese authorities during the period.
"Before the Beijing Winter Olympics, I entered China using an invalid COVID-19 vaccination certificate," Fischer said.
The coach explained that his decision was a result of a personal conflict regarding his vaccination status and his professional obligations.
"At the same time, I did not want to let the team down at the Olympics," he said.
Fischer did not attempt to downplay the impact of his actions. He characterized the incident as a "serious error" and stated he is assuming "full responsibility."
He also noted that he had already faced legal consequences in a personal capacity in 2023 following the incident.
Federation declines further sanctions
Despite the admission of fraud, the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation decided not to impose additional penalties on the coach. The organization expressed support for Fischer's decision to publicly disclose the details of the event.
"We have taken note of this and congratulate Patrick Fischer for making the matter public and clearly admitting his error," said Federation President Urs Kessler.
Kessler stated that the transparency demonstrated "personal responsibility and character" on the part of the coach. The federation president concluded by stating that, from their perspective, the matter is now officially closed.
The upcoming World Championship in Zurich and Fribourg will mark Fischer's final tournament with the national squad. The federation's decision to avoid further sanctions follows the conclusion of the legal proceedings Fischer faced last year. The organization emphasized that the coach's honesty regarding the 2022 incident was a deciding factor in their refusal to pursue new disciplinary action.