Norway's double Olympic cross-county ski champion Simen Krueger has tested negative for COVID-19, giving him a chance to make it to the 2022 Winter Olympics in time to take part in the later races in the program.

Krueger is still in Seiser Alm, Italy, after testing positive for the coronavirus following his team's final training camp almost two weeks ago.

"I need four negative tests before I can travel. I have a hope that I can travel on Friday (Feb. 11)," Krueger told state broadcaster NRK.

Norway ski team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum confirmed to newspaper Verdens Gang (VG) on Sunday that Krueger had already tested negative once.

The 28-year-old missed Sunday's 30km skiathlon, an event in which he won gold in 2018, and it is unlikely that he will arrive in time for Friday's 15km classic race.

His most likely chances to race should he manage to pass the required tests are Sunday's 4x10km relay, in which he and Norway are reigning Olympic champions, and the 50km mass start event that closes the men's cross-country program on Saturday, Feb. 19.