Games organizers still holding out hope

South Korean Olympic organizers still hope to see National Hockey League players competing at next year’s Winter Games despite the NHL’s insistence it won’t happen.

Nancy Park, a spokesperson for the Pyeongchang 2018 organizing committee, said on Tuesday there’s still time for “meaningful discussions” on Olympic participation between the NHL, NHL Players’ Association, International Ice Hockey Federation and International Olympic Committee.

Park said the organizing committee is still hopeful that a “solution will be found for the 2018 Games”.

The NHL announced it will not participate in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, refusing for the first time in 20 years to halt its season for three weeks so its stars can chase gold for their countries.

While the IIHF had agreed to pay for players’ travel and insurance costs when the IOC refused, the NHL had been looking for more concessions that were believed to be linked with marketing opportunities tied to the Games.

The NHLPA responded to the league’s announcement by saying players are “extraordinarily disappointed and adamantly disagree with the NHL’s shortsighted decision”.

The NHL has not decided whether to allow teams to make decisions on a case-by-case basis about players participating in the 2018 Olympics.

Pyeongchang 2018 organizers have been concerned about the possibility of NHL players skipping next year’s Games as hockey has traditionally been the biggest draw during the Winter Olympics.

South Korea has never been a powerhouse in the sport, but has qualified for the tournament as host and has started beefing up its ranks.