QUOTE
Turin officials encouraged by CBA talks
Team Canada 2002
Canadian Press
6/9/2005 1:00:01 PM
TURIN, Italy (AP-CP) _ Turin Olympic officials are encouraged by the recent optimism surrounding NHL labour talks.
"I just discussed this with (International Ice Hockey Federation president) Rene Fasel and he was very optimistic," said Jean-Claude Killy, the former Olympic ski champion who heads the IOC commission for the Turin Games.
Olympic officials hope an end to the lockout could clear the way for NHL players to compete in Turin.
The NHL and the NHL Players' Association have reportedly reached an agreement on a salary-cap structure, which had been the biggest hurdle in the negotiations. While a number of issues still need to be ironed out, including Olympic participation, there is optimism an agreement could be reached by early July.
The union has made it a demand in previous proposals that Olympic participation be guaranteed, but the NHL doesn't really want to take a break in the schedule next season after losing an entire year to the lockout.
"If there is no space provided in the calendar, I think some players will continue playing in Europe just to play in the Olympics," said Gilbert Felli, the IOC's Olympic Games executive director.
Turin organizing committee chairman Valentino Castellani pointed out that hockey is already the sport with the most tickets sold.
"It would be extraordinary to have the best players in the world, although all the tickets are already sold for the final," Castellani said.
Killy's group was concluding a visit to Turin on Thursday that featured a tour of each venue over three days.
Team Canada 2002
Canadian Press
6/9/2005 1:00:01 PM
TURIN, Italy (AP-CP) _ Turin Olympic officials are encouraged by the recent optimism surrounding NHL labour talks.
"I just discussed this with (International Ice Hockey Federation president) Rene Fasel and he was very optimistic," said Jean-Claude Killy, the former Olympic ski champion who heads the IOC commission for the Turin Games.
Olympic officials hope an end to the lockout could clear the way for NHL players to compete in Turin.
The NHL and the NHL Players' Association have reportedly reached an agreement on a salary-cap structure, which had been the biggest hurdle in the negotiations. While a number of issues still need to be ironed out, including Olympic participation, there is optimism an agreement could be reached by early July.
The union has made it a demand in previous proposals that Olympic participation be guaranteed, but the NHL doesn't really want to take a break in the schedule next season after losing an entire year to the lockout.
"If there is no space provided in the calendar, I think some players will continue playing in Europe just to play in the Olympics," said Gilbert Felli, the IOC's Olympic Games executive director.
Turin organizing committee chairman Valentino Castellani pointed out that hockey is already the sport with the most tickets sold.
"It would be extraordinary to have the best players in the world, although all the tickets are already sold for the final," Castellani said.
Killy's group was concluding a visit to Turin on Thursday that featured a tour of each venue over three days.
Source: TSN.ca
I understand that this may be premature but I'd like to see it. I also recognize the leagues concern about stopping mid season after they lost the last one but I think this could be good PR by saying that they are doing this for the fans all around the world.
What do you guys think?