Chris Jones provides an update from Italy in anticipation of the Milano Cortina Olympics. The Milano Santagiulia arena, which has faced challenges, finally hosted its first game on Friday, offering a brief reprieve from the ongoing concerns and criticisms. The event, designed as a “test event” to demonstrate readiness for the upcoming best-on-best men’s Olympic tournament, commenced with a Coppa Italia semifinal. Despite ongoing preparations, including last-minute seat dusting, the arena, except for the ice maintained by Don Moffatt, showed signs of incomplete construction.
During the event, only the lower seating section was accessible, with the upper areas still covered with tarps and plastic-wrapped seats. The lingering scent of construction and the damp drywall mud highlighted the ongoing work at the venue. Despite the visible construction activity during the game, officials remained confident in the arena’s readiness to welcome the NHL and its players.
Andrea Francisi, the chief games operations officer, assured that while some final touches were needed, the sports aspect was fully prepared. Pierre Ducrey, the IOC’s sport director, shared his excitement for the upcoming Olympic games and the participation of NHL players. However, a minor setback occurred during the first period when a hole emerged on the ice, requiring immediate attention.
The true test is anticipated on Saturday, with a full morning of practice and additional games scheduled. Concerns about the ice’s endurance under intense conditions and a full audience persisted. Notably, representatives from the NHL and NHLPA refrained from commenting on the ongoing developments, awaiting statements from key figures post the weekend tournament.
The imminent participation of NHL players is highly probable, prompting organizers to expedite the arena’s completion within the limited time frame. The women’s competition will kick off at Milano Santagiulia on Feb. 5, with various matches scheduled at the adjacent rink in Rho. The men’s competition is set to begin on Feb. 11, with Canada’s preliminary games slated at Milano Santagiulia.
Despite evident progress, such as the transformation of a tent into an accreditation center, ongoing construction work is apparent. Challenges like dangling wires, inoperative doors, and unfinished concessions persisted. However, the ambiance of hockey reverberating through the arena marked a turning point, signaling the imminent arrival of the games. As players and fans embraced the ice, the arena’s resemblance to a functional sports venue became secondary to the essence of the game itself, drawing attention to the exciting specter of Olympic competition.