Ice hockey’s governing body on TuesdayPlans to bar were canceled China’s men’s team from competing next year at the Beijing Olympics, a swift reversal that came only weeks after the hockey organization’s president had raised concerns that China’s team simply was not good enough to merit a place in the field.
The organization’s president, Luc Tardif, announced that ChinaIt would remain in the Olympicin a statement issued at the conclusion of a three day meeting of the International Ice Hockey FederationIn Zurich.
“ToLet’s be clear: The I.I.H.F. It is not going away to remove the ChineseTeam from the Olympic Games,” Tardif said. “The status of the men’s national team as a host nation participant in the Olympic ice hockey tournament was confirmed by congress and remains unchanged,” a reference to an earlier vote to place the ChineseMen in the field is a courtesy that almost everyone can enjoy OlympicHost nations
ItWas TardifHowever, it was he who suggested in SeptemberThe poor quality of China’s team might lead ice hockey officials to replace the squad in the Games. “WatchingA team losing 15-0 is not good for anyone. China or for ice hockey,” TardifSubmitted Agence France-Presse. He said hockey needed to urgently consider a “Plan B” for the Olympics.
HisComments created a potentially embarrassing situation in hockey Beijing2022 organizers and, perhaps, the most important, Chinese government. China’s president, Xi JinpingViews the Beijing GamesThis is an opportunity for the country, to show its relative success in controlling the coronavirus and to establish its position as a global leader.
StillThe risk of ChineseThis fall, humiliation rose when the International Olympic CommitteeIt announced that it had reached an accord with the National Hockey LeagueOver the release of players GamesEnsure that China’s first-round opponents — the United States, Canada Germany — would be stocked with some of the game’s best talent.
ConcernsAbout China’s performances are linked to a ChineseTeam that competes in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League. The team, Kunlun Red Star, is often based in BeijingHowever, he has since moved to another city. Moscow during the coronavirus pandemic in order to play in the league’s eastern division. ItThe current record is the worst in the 24-team league.
Yet even as Tardif ChinaIt would remain in the Olympictournament, the international body said it was in contact with the Chinese Ice Hockey Association to schedule two games featuring players eligible to represent the national team “in a joint effort to evaluate the status of the team’s preparations for Beijing 2022.”
IfThe games can be arranged in a variety of ways. ChineseThe players would be competing for Kunlun Red StarIn two K.H.L. two K.H.L. Nov. 15 and 17. AfterThe statement was released at these dates Tuesday said, “the I.I.H.F. Council will reconvene to discuss the next steps forward.”
Source: NY Times
