Pairs skaters Knierim/Frazier withdraw from U.S. Figure Skating Championships-Xinhua

Pairs skaters Knierim/Frazier withdraw from U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2022-01-06 16:42:17

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier withdrew from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Wednesday night when Frazier tested positive for COVID-19.

The duo needed to petition to a selection committee and prove they are fit to be chosen.

"We're aware of the process and I have been through it before," said Knierim, who successfully petitioned to make the 2017 Four Continents event after she underwent abdominal surgeries and was sidelined. "It's not a great feeling to go through it for anyone, but we are grateful that our federation has this mechanism."

Frazier tested negative Saturday when he began having symptoms. By Tuesday, he was much more ill, and he tested positive Wednesday. He will need to self-isolate through the weekend.

Both Frazier and Knierim are vaccinated and have received boosters.

U.S. Figure Skating's process for determining who goes to the Olympics takes into account finishes in key competitions over the past year.

As Knierim and Frazier have put up the best numbers of any American pairs and it's not particularly close, their chances of having their petition approved would seem relatively strong.

The United States has two spots in the pairs field for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games that will kick off on February 4. Enditem