FILE PHOTO: Ice Hockey – Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Take a look at Occasion – Home Ice Hockey occasion – Wukesong Sports activities Centre, Beijing, China – November 8, 2021 Wang Man from Capital College of Bodily Schooling and Sports activities in motion REUTERS/Tingshu Wang
The Nationwide Hockey League (NHL) and its gamers’ affiliation on Sunday mentioned they have been in discussions and count on to decide within the coming days about whether or not to take part within the Beijing Winter Olympics amid an outbreak of COVID-19 circumstances.
The outbreaks have led to the postponement of 27 video games as of Saturday, with not less than 12 extra anticipated to be postponed by Dec. 23.
“Given the disruption to the NHL’s regular-season schedule brought on by current COVID-related occasions… and the continued uncertainty brought on by the continued COVID pandemic, the NHL and NHLPA are actively discussing the matter of NHL participant participation within the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, and count on to be able to announce a last willpower within the coming days,” the 2 our bodies mentioned in a joint assertion.
The league mentioned it will, nevertheless, forge forward with its 2021-22 common season.
“Though there was a current improve in optimistic COVID take a look at outcomes amongst gamers, coaches and hockey workers, there have been a low variety of optimistic circumstances which have resulted in regarding signs or critical sickness,” the assertion mentioned.
“Due to this fact, the NHLPA’s and NHL’s medical consultants have decided that, with just about all gamers and membership hockey workers totally vaccinated, the necessity to briefly shut down particular person groups ought to proceed to be made on a case-by-case foundation.”
Because of concern about cross-border journey and given the fluid nature of federal journey restrictions, all video games involving a Canadian-based crew taking part in a U.S.-based crew from Monday, Dec. 20 by the beginning of the vacation break on Dec. 23, shall be postponed and rescheduled, the joint assertion mentioned.
The Beijing Video games run from Feb. 4-20.
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