Olympic skier leaves Sochi due to allergy issues

Olympic skier Aksel Lund Svindal has left the Sochi games because of his allergy symptoms.

Allergies can affect anybody, even world-class Olympic athletes. Norwegian skier Aksel Lund Svindal has decided to pull out of his final Olympic race, not because he is injured or unprepared but because of his allergies. His symptoms have been acted up since he arrived in Russia earlier this month, but they have gotten to the point where he has decided to leave Sochi early. And according to a statement he gave the Associated Press on Monday, he is not the only one who has been affected by allergies while competing.

“There’s a lot of athletes that have some kind of allergy against something here,” Svindal told reporters. “I think it’s something from the concrete that’s in the air, like some fine dust. When I got here, I felt it, too. The doctors knew exactly what it was, because they gave me allergy medicine right away. It helps, but it’s kind of draining.”

Svindal’s final race was scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. He has reportedly been unhappy with his recent performances, failing to medal in his first three races, but coming in the top eight.

Svindal has called his races in Sochi his worst winter yet, after winning three medals in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. When discussing his races, Svindal said it is important to analyze any changes in your routine, and the only thing that has changed in his time in Russia has been his allergy medication. While this has been a tough decision for the skier, his coaches reassured reporters this is the best way for him to regain his energy and be able to better compete for the rest of the skiing season.

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