ST. PAUL, Minn. – The president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has expressed confidence that the essential facilities for the men’s ice hockey tournament at the Milan Cortina Olympics will be ready by February 11, despite potential delays in the completion of other areas.
We can be sure of that. You will not go to Milan in vain.
Luc Tardif, president of the IIHF
La Arena de Hockey sobre Hielo Milano Santagiulia para los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno Milán-Cortina podría no estar completamente terminada para cuando comiencen los juegos, pero estará lista para la acción cuando caiga el disco el 11 de febrero.Tardif, speaking at the junior world championship, pointed out that, although the capacity of the main stadium might not be exactly what was expected, with 11,800 seats, the event will take place in optimal conditions.
That’s a little short. But it will be a good setup for the Olympic Games.
Delays in construction and other concerns surrounding the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and the secondary facility in Rho have made headlines. The NHL returns to the Winter Games for the first time since 2014, and the women’s tournament will begin on February 5th.
The NHL has expressed its concern about both the construction and the quality of the ice surface. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated that the league will not send its players if there are safety issues with the ice. The league will send its own experts to Italy to ensure the safety of the ice. The facilities will have smaller rinks than NHL standards, but still within IIHF standards.
Tardif pointed out that the IIHF does not oversee the construction, which is the responsibility of the International Olympic Committee and the local organizers, and that its actions regarding the schedule are limited.
The IIHF president will travel to Italy with league officials and the NHL Players’ Association this week for a test event at the venue.
I trust the quality of the infrastructure. We would have liked to sleep much better… I think we will have a good competition, but maybe you can ask me the question after [this week].
Luc Tardif, president of the IIHFThe NHL was surprised to learn that the dimensions of the two rinks would be slightly wider and 3 feet shorter than agreed upon between the league and the International Ice Hockey Federation. Daly indicated that the league and the NHLPA have reminded the IIHF that they expect the ice surface to be the standard NHL size at the 2030 Olympic Games in France.
