NHL officially backs out of Beijing Olympics over COVID-19

PITTSBURGH — After mulling over its participation in the 2022 Winter Olympics over COVID-19 concerns, the National Hockey League has decided its players will not go to Beijing in February.

The official decision from the league came down Wednesday after much speculation and reports that there would not be an Olympic break for the NHL. The announcement followed a news release Sunday in which the NHL and the National Hockey League Players’ Association indicated the final determination was nearing.

Over the summer, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was named the head coach of the United States Men’s Olympic Hockey Team.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement Wednesday:

“The National Hockey League respects and admires the desire of NHL Players to represent their countries and participate in a ‘best on best’ tournament. Accordingly, we have waited as long as possible to make this decision while exploring every available option to enable our Players to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Unfortunately, given the profound disruption to the NHL’s regular-season schedule caused by recent COVID-related events -- 50 games already have been postponed through Dec. 23 -- Olympic participation is no longer feasible. We certainly acknowledge and appreciate the efforts made by the International Olympic Committee, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the Beijing Organizing Committee to host NHL Players but current circumstances have made it impossible for us to proceed despite everyone’s best efforts. We look forward to Olympic participation in 2026.”

Games that have been postponed, including two for the Penguins, will be rescheduled during what would have been the Olympic break between Feb. 6 and Feb. 22.

>>PREVIOUS STORY: NHL suspending all operations league-wide over Christmas weekend to slow spread of COVID

“Our focus and goal have been and must remain to responsibly and safely complete the entirety of the NHL regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs in a timely manner,” Bettman said.

National Hockey League Players’ Association Executive Director Don Fehr issued the following statement:

“Since the CBA extension was reached 17 months ago, NHL players have looked forward with great anticipation to once again participating in the Winter Olympics. Until very recently, we seemed to be on a clear path to go to Beijing. COVID-19 has unfortunately intervened, forcing dozens of games to be postponed this month alone. No matter how much we wish it were not the case, we need to utilize the Olympic period to reschedule these games.”

First look at plane Team USA will take to Beijing Olympics

©2021 Cox Media Group