Former Russian national team player Darius Kasparaitis appreciated the NHL's refusal to let hockey players to the Olympics
Photo: Mike Blake / Reuters
Olympic ice hockey champion and former defender of the Russian national team Darius Kasparaitis praised the decision of the National Hockey League (NHL), which refused to let players go to the Beijing Olympics. His words are quoted by “Championship.com”.
The 49-year-old expert noted that the chances of the Russian national team to win the hockey tournament of the Games in Beijing have increased. According to Kasparaitis, young hockey players of the Russian team will be able to prove themselves at the Olympics. He also admitted that he is upset that the Olympics will be left without NHL hockey players. He also drew attention to the fact that such a decision was a blow to older athletes, who probably lost their chance to compete in the Olympics.
Earlier, the refusal of the NHL to let players into Beijing was commented on by Russian journalist Dmitry Guberniev. He also expressed disappointment with the league's decision.
The NHL's refusal to release hockey players to the Game became known earlier on December 22. The decision came amid an increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the league.
In 1992, Kasparaitis became the Olympic champion as part of the United Team. Together with the Russian national team, he also won the silver and bronze medals of the Games.
