Pictured: Less than a month before the start of the Olympics, the hockey arena is still not commissioned // Photo: ctvnews.ca
A test match of the Italian Ice Hockey Cup semi-final between Caldaro / Kaltern and Varese (8:3) was played on the ice as a test match. In the second period, the game was suspended for five minutes due to a hole between the throw-in circles.
This incident was not the first to happen to the arena in Milan during its construction. Earlier, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) revealed that the arena did not meet the standards of the American NHL, which allowed athletes to go to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years. According to European standards, the width of an ice rink for ice hockey matches should be 28 meters, while the NHL has narrower arenas – 26 meters. The size of the ice rink for the Olympic hockey tournament was even smaller – 25 meters. The agreement between the NHL, the IIHF and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stipulated that the rink would follow the standards of the North American league.
Due to reports that the arena is still not officially commissioned, the NHL threatened to boycott the hockey tournament at the Olympics. IIHF president Luke Tardif, however, was optimistic after checking out the rink this past weekend. “There is some construction and finishing work to be completed. Yes, there was even a hole in the ice during a test game, but apparently everything will be fine for the start of the Games. I’m happy with what I’ve seen! There is no reason why NHL players would not come to the Olympics,” the American edition of The Athletic quoted the head of the organization as saying.
A problem with the accommodation of hockey players within the arena has also been identified. Dressing rooms will be placed in mobile trailers due to the fact that the organizers do not have time to equip all the rooms. It will be problematic for the athletes to get on the ice – they will have to move from the locker rooms to the rink on lined mats.
The organizers do not have time to provide the previously promised capacity of the arena – 16 thousand spectators. The stands will be able to accommodate 4 thousand people less. The head of the IIHF, who earlier expressed dissatisfaction about this, said that the organizers are obliged to provide high quality infrastructure.
The Santa Giulia Arena was originally scheduled to be commissioned in December 2023, but the pandemic, logistical problems and rising raw material prices have caused cost increases and construction delays. It cost €360 million – more than five times the amount that was announced when Milan was announced as the host city for the 2019 Olympics (along with Cortina d’Ampezzo) (€70 million). The arena was built especially for the Olympics.
“Santa Giulia”, also called “Arena Milano”, within the XXV Winter Olympics and XIV Winter Paralympics will host the women’s tournament (from February 5 to 19) and the men’s tournament (from February 11 to 22), and from March 7 to 15 – the mixed teams competition in sledge hockey (among athletes with disabilities).
