Beijing (AP) – The ice hockey world association IIHF wants clarity before the next winter games earlier on whether professionals from the North American NHL league will participate in the Olympics.
IIHF President Luc Tardif was disappointed in Beijing that it was not possible to have players from the best league in the world due to the corona pandemic.
After the cancellation from North America shortly before Christmas, it was a big challenge to organize the Olympic tournament in Beijing. “I don’t want to be in the same situation in Cortina 2026,” said Tardif.
No Olympic break in NHL
The aim for the next winter games in Italy is to have an agreement earlier. The Canadian-born Frenchman was optimistic that this would work out, but stressed that he did not want to put pressure on him. The NHL did not take a break during the Olympics four years ago to release players for the tournament in Pyeongchang, South Korea. A return was planned for the Winter Games in China, but the NHL then decided to continue playing during the Olympics and make up for many games that had been canceled due to the corona pandemic. The German team was missing star striker Leon Draisaitl, among others.
Despite the absence of players from the best league in the world, Tardif stressed: “The gold medal will always have the same value.” Commenting on NHL CEO Gary Bettman’s suggestion that hockey be included in the Summer Games, Tardif said, “I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Ice hockey belongs in the winter.
The next talks with the NHL leadership are now about eliminating the frustration on both sides. “It was also frustrating for fans and players,” said Tardif. The 68-year-old, who was only elected IIHF President last year, explained that they didn’t want to wait until the last moment for an agreement, and that it shouldn’t come until a year before the Olympics. The strict corona regulations in China made organizing the tournament a major challenge, Tardif explained: “The Covid protocol was not made for team sports.”