Swiss ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer admitted to using a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter China for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Fischer, who continues to lead the Swiss national team, confessed to using the forged document to avoid the stringent travel restrictions imposed by Chinese authorities during the pandemic.
“I made a serious mistake in this matter,” Fischer said in a public statement. “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.”
Legal consequences and fine
Swiss public broadcaster SRF confronted Fischer with evidence that he had been fined approximately 39,000 Swiss francs ($50,000) by local authorities in 2023. The fine followed an investigation into document forgery after Fischer purchased the certificate through social media.
Fischer expressed regret over the situation, stating, “I’m very sorry if I’ve disappointed people with this situation.”
China maintained some of the world's strictest pandemic protocols during the Beijing Games. Athletes were required to either present proof of vaccination or undergo a mandatory three-week hotel quarantine.
Despite the scandal, the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation stated it considers the matter closed. Fischer was already scheduled to step down from his position following the upcoming World Championships in May.
Fischer has been a prominent figure in Swiss hockey since 2015. During his tenure, he led the national team to three Olympic appearances and secured three silver medals at the World Championships.
During the 2022 Olympics, the Swiss team reached the quarterfinals. The tournament saw significant absences from the sport, including many players from the National Hockey League, due to ongoing pandemic-related restrictions.
