Connor McDavid calls the idea of isolation that could last five weeks if a positive COVID-19 test at the Beijing Olympics is “disturbing”.
McDavid made the remarks Tuesday in Edmonton, in a context where it is not certain that the NHL will send players to this Olympiad.
One of three players named to the Canadian team on an interim basis, the Oilers captain says players must continue to gather information before making a decision.
“Obviously the data changes a lot,” McDavid said. There hasn’t been a ton of information, but I’m trying to put it together. ”
“I still want to go to the Games, but we have to make sure it’s safe for everyone and all the athletes, not just the hockey players. ”
The NHL plans to send players to Beijing, but the Tour could change its mind at any time.
January 10 is the deadline to withdraw without financial penalty.
The IOC has said that an athlete who tests positive for the coronavirus in China will need to get two negative tests 24 hours apart. Otherwise, the duration of solitary confinement could be from 21 days to five weeks.
Asked if the minimal isolation itself cast doubt on his participation, McDavid reiterated the need for more details.
“I’m not in a position to make that decision right now,” he said. Again, we need to start by gathering all the facts. ”
Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, named along with Sidney Crosby of the Penguins and McDavid as provisional members of the Canadian squad, has previously said he is unsure if he will go to China.
Leafs captain John Tavares said he was uncomfortable after learning about the current requirements for self-isolation over potential Olympics participation.
The NHL has seen a significant increase in the number of players sidelined in connection with the pandemic protocol lately.
“They (the players as a whole) don’t get sick, but they have to pay the price,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said on Tuesday of his players needing to self-isolate (Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis ). It’s super frustrating, especially abroad.
“That’s the good thing about the vaccine, that was the whole point of the vaccination – that the guys don’t get sick,” he added. We have done what we can do. ”