The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has acknowledged that parts of the main hockey rink for the Milan Cortina Olympics may not be fully finished on time, but assured that the playing surface, practice facilities, and dressing rooms will be ready for the men's event on 11 February.
IIHF President Luc Tardif told reporters on Monday that the main arena will have a capacity of 11,800 seats, which he described as “a little bit short” but still a “nice setup for the Olympic Games.” Construction delays and concerns about the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena and secondary Rho facility have drawn attention as the NHL returns to the Winter Games for the first time since 2014.
The NHL has expressed concerns about construction and ice quality, with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stating that the league will not send its players if there are any safety issues. The NHL is sending its own experts to Italy to ensure the ice is safe. The rinks are smaller than NHL standards but within IIHF specifications.
Tardif noted that the IIHF is not overseeing construction, which is the responsibility of the International Olympic Committee and local organisers. He plans to travel to Italy later this week for a test event, expressing confidence in the infrastructure while acknowledging that he would have preferred more progress.
The NHL was surprised to learn that the two rinks will be slightly wider and three feet shorter than agreed upon. Daly has reminded the IIHF that the league expects standard NHL-sized ice at the 2030 Olympics in France.
