Beijing 2022: NHL plans to honour Winter Olympics deal with players, says commissioner Gary Bettman
- League chief says despite ‘a whole host of issues’ there were no plans to stop players going to the Olympics in February
- Players can withdraw over Covid-19 concerns up until January 10
Speaking at the conclusion of the league’s board of governors meeting in Florida, commissioner Gary Bettman said despite “a whole host of issues” he was not going to prevent the players from taking part in the Games.
“There are a number of open issues, and I know the Players’ Association has concerns about them,” Bettman said. “But ultimately, we will honour [the agreement], as we promised.
“The players for the most part seem to continue to be saying they want to go. I don’t think that this is going to be the ideal Olympic experience in terms of the lockdowns in the Olympic Village and everything else that’s going on. But again, we made a promise.”
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Australia, Britain, Canada join US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights
Bettman said with less than 60 days left before the opening ceremony, they were still waiting to hear back from the Beijing Organising Committee on Covid-19 protocols, including what happens if a player tests positive while in China.
