TURIN, Italy – The Olympic torch remains unlit, but the flames of controversy have begun to flicker at these Games.
As preparations for tonight’s opening ceremonies were being finalized yesterday, anticipation of the NHL gambling scandal crossing the Atlantic next week grew.
The U.S. and Canadian hockey teams are expected to arrive Tuesday and bring with them the storm clouds that have surrounded the NHL all week. Though none of the Olympic players has been implicated, Canadian team
executive director Wayne Gretzky reportedly knew of the gambling ring his assistant Rick Tocchet allegedly ran.
Some are wondering whether it would be better if Gretzky stayed home.
One of the last things any of the Olympic organizers wants is a controversy to overshadow these Games. After Tonya Harding in 1994, the U.S. hockey team’s room trashing in 1998, and the skating judging scandal in 2002, the IOC hoped the Turin Games would be more about medals than messes. Now it appears the gambling ring could steal the headlines.
Olympic officials are hesitant to comment on the scandal before the investigation progresses in New Jersey. But they are paying close attention to what’s happening across the pond.
“We’re carefully monitoring the situation,” said Jim Scherr, USOC chief executive officer. “We will have discussions with USA Hockey. They will have discussions with the NHL, and as we learn more information, we will react to that
information. But, at this time, it’s definitely too premature to really comment any further.”
Though the scandal figures to dominate the talk surrounding the games during the next week, tonight it will focus on the opening ceremonies at Stadio Olimpico. The U.S. team will be led into the stadium by speed skater Chris Witty, a five-time Olympian. The Americans are looking to top their record haul of 34 medals in Salt Lake City. Once an also-ran in the Winter Games, the Americans finished second in 2002 in overall medals (two behind Germany).
Now, they turn to some familiar faces from those Games (Apolo Anton Ohno, Bode Miller, Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen) and some new blood (Gretchen Bleiler, Chad Hedrick and Shaun White). This time, though, they’ll have to compete on foreign soil without the comforts of a familiar time zone, rabid fans and, for some, even their own beds.
“We had a wonderful opportunity to participate on home soil with friendly crowds,” Scherr said. “Most of the athletes had either lived or trained in a similar time zone. Being familiar with the venues also helped a little.”
Many of the athletes spoke of how exciting the prospect of marching in tonight’s ceremonies is to them, viewing it as the realization of their dreams. Some, however, will sit out tonight’s pageantry, choosing instead to rest for competition. Ohno and Miller both compete Sunday and may be among those missing when you tune into NBC tonight.
“A number of athletes won’t be participating in Opening Ceremonies because they’re competing in the next day or so,” said Jim McCarthy, U.S. Olympic Team Chef de Mission. “It’s a difficult decision because the Opening Ceremonies is a very special part of the Olympic experience. It’s an individual decision. Based on preliminary indications, a majority of the athletes will participate. I don’t think participation will be a problem.”