Olympic Hockey Arena Faces 'Frantic' Finish as Milan-Cortina Games Approach
With the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics set to begin, organizers are engaged in what they describe as "frantic" work to complete the main ice hockey venue. Despite ongoing construction efforts, officials have assured that all scheduled matches will proceed without disruption, starting with the opening women's competition this Thursday.
Venue Challenges and Construction Delays
The Santagiulia Arena, a key venue for the Games, has presented significant challenges for organizers. Construction on the facility began later than planned and subsequently experienced multiple delays, creating what has been termed a "headache" for Olympic planners. The 15,300-capacity arena holds particular importance as it will host NHL players in Olympic competition for the first time since 2014.
Official Assurance Amidst Unfinished Areas
Christophe Dubi, the International Olympic Committee's executive director for the Olympic Games, addressed concerns about the arena's readiness. While acknowledging that some areas remain incomplete, Dubi emphasized that these unfinished sections are not essential for the Games' operation.
"Do we have every single space in that venue finished? No," Dubi stated. "Is it absolutely needed for the Games? No. Anything that is public-facing, anything that is media or athletes, will be absolutely top. Do we still have work? Yes."
Dubi confirmed it was "absolutely certain" that the full schedule of fixtures would proceed as planned. The opening match will feature host nation Italy against France in the women's competition on Thursday.
NHL Participation and Surface Concerns
The participation of NHL stars in the Olympic hockey tournament had been called into question last year due to concerns about the playing surface. Bill Daly, the league's deputy commissioner, had expressed reservations about the arena conditions. However, with organizers now assuring that all athlete-facing areas will be completed to the highest standards, these concerns appear to have been addressed.
New Construction in Vast Olympic Landscape
The Santagiulia Arena represents one of the few entirely new venues constructed specifically for these Winter Olympics. The Games span a vast area of northern Italy, stretching from the economic capital of Milan to the picturesque Dolomite mountains. This geographical spread has added complexity to the venue preparation process.
Despite the construction challenges, organizers remain confident that the arena will provide an excellent experience for athletes, media, and spectators alike. The "frantic" work continues with the goal of delivering a world-class venue for what promises to be a highlight of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
