Patrick Fischer, head coach of the Swiss men's ice hockey team, has been fired after admitting he used a false Covid-19 vaccination certificate to bypass China's travel restrictions for the 2022 Winter Olympics. At the 2022 Games, China required athletes to be vaccinated or undergo a three-week hotel quarantine, according to Fischer. Fischer acknowledged the forgery in a statement, saying he made a serious mistake and was in an extraordinary personal crisis because he did not want to be vaccinated but also did not want to let his team down at the Olympics.
The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation initially supported Fischer, stating the case was closed. However, the federation later reversed its position and dismissed him. Federation president Urs Kessler said the initial assessment was too short-sighted and that the matter is about values and respect that Fischer did not uphold. Fischer was fined nearly 39,000 Swiss francs (approximately £36,750) by local authorities in 2023 for document forgery after buying the certificate on social media, according to the federation. Swiss public broadcaster SRF confronted Fischer with documents showing the fine, and he went public with his admission shortly after, as reported by SRF.
I made a serious mistake in this matter.
Jan Cadieux, previously announced as Fischer's replacement starting next year, will take over immediately, the federation said. Fischer had been head coach since 2015 and led Switzerland to three Olympics and three world championship silver medals, according to the federation. Switzerland hosts the world championship next month. Fischer expressed regret, saying he was sorry if he disappointed people with this situation.
I'm very sorry if I've disappointed people with this situation.
I was in an extraordinary personal crisis because I didn't want to be vaccinated. At the same time I certainly didn't want to let my team down at the Olympic Games.