Organizers of the annual Copa Coqui meet in Puerto Rico have canceled this year’s meet because of an outbreak of the flu, according to an email sent to coaches.
They say that ‘several swimmers have already visited the emergency room’ and that the cancellation was made for everyone’s ‘safety and well-being.’
It is with great regret that we inform you that we have made the difficult decision not to hold the Copa Coquí competition this year. Due to a current influenza outbreak, several swimmers have already required visits to the emergency room, and out of concern for everyone’s safety and well-being, we feel it is best not to move forward with the event at this time.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please know that this decision was not made lightly. Our top priority has always been the health and safety of the swimmers. We want all athletes to be able to begin their training and complete it safely, without unnecessary health risks or emergency situations, as unfortunately has happened in the past.
We truly appreciate your understanding and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to communicate with you.
Thank you for your time, and for always placing the well-being of the swimmers first.
Organizers anticipated 15 teams and over 500 swimmers at the 2025-2026 event.
The annual winter break meet allows Puerto Rican swimmers from local universities and club teams to race against NCAA swimmers from the mainland United States to gain experience or even be recruited. The meet is based out of the Puerto Rico Winter Swimming Training Center, which annually attracts university teams from the northern latitudes of the United States and Canada to train in warmer climates between academic semesters.
Organizers of the meet offer college teams complete packages for training, accommodations, and competition.
The cancellation of the meet has further exacerbated the challenges college programs are facing traveling to and from Puerto Rico amid the closure of the island’s main airport following American attacks against nearby Venezuela.
Loyola Maryland, for example, was scheduled to compete against American University in a dual meet after the Copa Coqui scheduled for Monday was canceled. Loyola is now planning to race alone.
Cases of the flu have spiked nationally over the last week, with Puerto Rico being especially hard hit. The season in Puerto Rico, which began in June and runs through July next year, has already exceeded past years in both cases and fatalities in Puerto Rico. The U.S. territory reported its 84th and 85th deaths over the weekend, both in children.
Puerto Rico has had cases above the epidemic threshold for six straight weeks, leading local health officials to warn that a formal declaration of an influenza epidemic could come in January if cases don’t subside, according to the San Juan Daily Star.
Get your flu shots! The buildup to the major February meets could be derailed with a week of illness, putting an entire season at risk. This is for all levels: college swimmers heading into conference and ncaa season, club swimmers heading into spring sectionals, HS swimmers heading to state (and recruiting). Don’t wreck your season bc you’re afraid of 2 seconds of minor discomfort from a needle.
You are advising elite athletes who are extremely mindful of what they put into their bodies. In some countries, flu shots are now being formulated using mRna technology and no longer the traditional version.
Keeping one’s immune system robust with adequate sleep and nutrition, appropriate vitamins, stress management, etc. and personal protective habits such as careful handwashing, adequate mask wearing when and where applicable, are essential to help keep viruses at bay.
mRNA vaccines are not banned by WADA.
There are also not approved mRNA flu shots yet. Almost everyone who gets a flu vaccine is getting the ‘traditional one’ whatever that means.
mRNA flu vaccines in early research are more effective but cause more side effects. Egg based vaccines, which I assume you’re referring to with ‘traditional vaccines,’ are becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the different strains. The viruses can adapt to the eggs, there’s a long lead time, and in periods of egg shortages like with bird flu outbreaks, can exacerbate increasing food prices.
There are two newer non-mRNA flu vaccines which are faster than the egg based ones, but not as good as the mRNA ones. Most… Read more »