9/23/2023 0 Comments 31 thoughts elliott friedmanHe got it before vaccination was readily available in North America. And their answer, as things stand now, is, “We’re in.” I wondered if Jonathan Toews’ admission to The Athletic that he’s “probably” a COVID long-hauler might create some pause, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Players are going to have to accept that risk. Personally, if I was covering the Olympics and got sick, I’d be expecting my employer to handle it, but that's not going to happen in this case. “I agree that I participate in the Games at my own risk and own responsibility,” it reads, “including any impact on my participation to and/or performance in the Games, serious bodily injury or even death, raised by the potential exposure to health hazards such as the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious disease or extreme heat conditions… To the fullest extent admissible under applicable laws, I irrevocably release the Released Parties from any liability for any loss, injury, infectious disease or damage that I, or my property may suffer in relation to my participation in the Games.” The Washington Post reported Thursday that the IOC is asking competitors for the Summer Games, scheduled to begin in two weeks, sign waivers before competing. According to multiple sources, the NHLPA has canvassed its membership since Bettman/Daly’s comments, and the response has been “we want to go.” Even if it is not the Olympics as we are used to. There’s a magic in it and I loved hearing their stories. Ask them about it, and you’d get a huge smile and lengthy discussion of the competition and/or the social life. When I worked Olympics for CBC, it was almost without fail that our analysts proudly wore a ring with the logo or had the emblem tattooed somewhere on their body. (In 2014, the last time the NHL went to the Games, the International Olympic Committee paid the insurance costs, estimated at approximately $11 million U.S.) My response was, surely some high-risk insurer would do it, albeit at a ridiculous price, but the answer is always, “No, they won’t accept that risk.” So, the question is how that is covered and who assumes it. What happens if a player misses time due to a COVID-related illness after the Olympics? From what I understand, only a small percentage of NHLers who would be participating are covered for that, and the NHL/NHLPA are being told this insurance is no longer available to be bought. One major hurdle is COVID-related insurance. “We’re expecting the league to make that happen.” “As players, we’re expecting to go,” added Connor McDavid, who may crack Canada’s top-nine. “This might be the last chance I get, so it sucks to hear,” said Victor Hedman, who would lead Sweden’s defence. “We have real concerns about whether or not it’s sensible to be participating,” Bettman said.įor many elite-level players, especially those who haven’t been Olympians, this was a supreme downer. You didn’t need to be a Negreanu-esque poker player to recognize they weren’t thrilled about it. During their media conference prior to Game 1 of the Final, commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly said they would honour their deal with players to go to Beijing in February 2022 - provided an agreement could be made with the International Olympic Committee. In the middle of this, the NHL and NHLPA are trying to finalize Olympic participation. There’s a lot going on, and it’s going to happen fast. The NHL Draft goes July 23-24, with free agency following on the 28th. The Seattle Kraken select their players July 21. Protected lists for the expansion draft are due next Saturday. The Stanley Cup is awarded fun time is over. Can Tampa re-tool to pull off a three-peat?.The latest off-season news on the Leafs, Flames, Oilers and Canucks.What will the Canadiens look like next season?.Where the NHL's Olympic participation stands.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |