from Nick Butler of inside the games,
A final decision on National Hockey League (NHL) participation at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Games must be made by mid-July at the absolute latest, the head of the world governing body has claimed.
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President René Fasel insists that any later would make it logistically impossible to find hotels and accommodation for the NHL delegation....
"The IOC is at a crossroads," he said.
"It has to decide where it wants to go.
"If it wants stars and professionals, it must take over the [technical] costs for it."
He also criticised NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for making "unrealistic" demands.
"He [Bettman] claims the same rights for the NHL as a TOP (The Olympic Programme) sponsor who pays $100 million (£77 million/€91 million)," Fasel added.
"He wants to use the Olympic Rings for the NHL.
"If the IOC says yes, what do we do with athletics, swimming, gymnastics, skiing, ice skating?
"Then we would have to grant these rights to all the big sports federations.
"It is also about the principle."
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