Janine Flock is working to support the food trade during the pandemic ©Getty Images

Austrian skeleton athlete Janine Flock has started working to help the food trade in Rietz, as part of efforts to support the public amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Flock is employed by the Austrian Armed Forces – known as Bundesheer – and was deployed to Rietz to support with the aid efforts.

She had initially been due to travel to Lake Placid in the United States, where she would have tested the track ahead of the 2021 World Championships.

"We would have had a flight to America on Saturday, which we clearly did without," Flock said on her personal website.

"In this situation with the coronavirus, that would have been irresponsible.

"The Bundesheer has informed me that I will be deployed in Rietz to support the people there in the food trade.

"I think it's great that we can help in this situation too.

"Please, if you don't have to go out to help others or do urgent work, stay home.

"In a situation like this, we have to look at each other by carefully following the instructions of the Federal Government and our State Government."

The coronavirus, which has wreaked havoc on the sporting calendar, has so far killed more than 8,000 people and infected more than 200,000 worldwide.

Janine Flock is expected to test the Beijing 2022 Olympic track later this year ©Getty Images
Janine Flock is expected to test the Beijing 2022 Olympic track later this year ©Getty Images

The pre-homologation of the sliding sports venue for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing was rearranged for later this year.

Bobsleigh, skeleton and luge athletes from around the world were supposed to visit the National Sliding Center in Yanqing from March 9 to 15 to certify it in preparation for Beijing 2022.

This process must be completed for the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and the International Luge Federation to officially approve the track as safe for racing.

It was announced in January, however, that the event had been delayed based on the outbreak and continuing spread of coronavirus, which placed "unexpected challenges ahead of the Organising Committee".

Flock, who finished on the podium in eight of the nine World Cup events during the season, was among the athletes due to participate in the homologation.

"I was selected with three other athletes to homologate the track, which we expect to take place sometime in autumn 2020," she wrote.

"Everything is geared towards Beijing 2022.

"Until then, I want to have everything under control that I can control myself, do everything that is in my hands."