Big problems in Ostrava. The arena is too hot, players have dangerous health problems. Goalies had to go to the hospital

The 2024 Ice Hockey World Championship in Prague and Ostrava is underway. However, the arena in the latter city is currently dealing with big problems, namely too much heat in the arena. The players themselves are paying the price, with Latvian goalkeeper Kristers Gudlevskis having to go straight to hospital after the game.

The Ostrava arena is currently dealing with big problems. Players have complained about the heat in past games. As a consequence, the physical problems of the hockey players themselves are a consequence.

One of the most critical ones was the match between Latvia and Slovakia on Sunday, when a defender of our neighbours complained about the very difficult conditions.

“It’s not pleasant, even though the conditions are the same for everyone. Especially in the evening matches the hall is more breathless. I don’t know how the air conditioning is here. But we can’t complain about it,” said Ján Pardavý, the assistant Slovak coach, in an interview with Sport.sk.

The biggest problem, however, was Latvian goalkeeper Kristers Gudlevskis, who reportedly lost up to seven kilos during the game. Coach Harijs Vitolins then confirmed this information and admitted that Gudlevskis headed to the hospital immediately after the game.

“It’s really too much in such a short time. The intensity of the game and the stress played a role, because a player loses a lot of fluids during the game. The body of professional athletes reacts differently to stress than a normal person,” said Signe Rinkule, a nutritionist at the Latvian Olympic Committee, quoted by Sport.cz.

However, his further participation in the World Championships is not in danger. Lukáš Fučík, a Polish goalkeeper with Czech roots, had similar health problems. He also went to the hospital after the duel with Slovakia and was substituted in the 52nd minute due to cramps and dehydration.

“I gave everything to the match, but at one point my body said stop,” Fucik told Polsat Sport. He was released after the examination and rejoined the national team.

Source: World Cup of Hockey 2024, Sport.cz