56+ min ago (125+ words) Winter Olympics organisers "optimistic" ice hockey venue will be ready in time for Games - Construction of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan is significantly behind schedule. - Organisers have confirmed there is no back-up venue if the 16,000-seat arena is not completed on time. - A planned test event was moved, with new tests now scheduled for 9-11 January, just a month before the Games commence. - Andrea Francisi, chief games operations officer for Milan-Cortina, stated there is "no plan B" but is "optimistic" the venue will be ready. - The first Olympic hockey game is scheduled for 5 February, one day before the opening ceremony, despite new venues typically being tested at least a year in advance....

11+ hour, 23+ min ago (330+ words) Work on the venue of one of the Winter Games" flagship sports is running seriously behind schedule Construction of the 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey venue is going right down to the wire, with the organisers admitting there is no back-up plan if the arena is not ready on time. Work on the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena " the new, 16,000-seat venue on the outskirts of Milan " is running behind schedule, but there is no alternative stadium that could be called in at the last minute. A planned test event had to be moved and new test events aren't scheduled until 9-11 January, just a month before the start of the Games. "So necessarily we have to be able to organize the competition in an impeccable manner at Santagiulia." The first scheduled Olympic hockey game at the arena is a women's preliminary round…...

4+ day, 6+ hour ago (298+ words) Those who fail to comply with the mandate face a fine and a suspension of their lift pass Italy has introduced a mandatory helmet law for all skiers and snowboarders. The rule, which came into effect on 1 November ahead of this year's ski season, requires all users of Italy's pistes to wear a CE-certified helmet " the "Conformit" Europ"enne" " which complies with EU health and safety standards. The new mandate aims to reduce serious head injuries in the wake of growing concern over winter sports safety. Those who fail to adhere to the rule could risk a fine of up to "200 (175) and a suspension of their lift pass. The new ruling makes Italy the first European country to impose such a mandate. North Korea is the only other country which is cited as having a similar rule. "We believe 95 per…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (228+ words) Milan-Cortina will be the first Winter Olympics to feature compulsory neck guards in ice hockey Ice hockey's governing body is to make protective neck guards mandatory at the Winter Olympics next year. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced in December 2023 that it would change its rules to make neck guards compulsory in all the competitions it oversees, but did not confirm a specific date when the policy would be brought in. It has since told BBC Sport that "we can confirm the neck guards will be mandatory according to the IIHF Rule Book" in advance of next February's Olympic Games. Neck guards were previously optional at Olympic level and are not typically required at other elite level competitions. Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson died in October 2023 from a serious cut to his neck from a skate during a British…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (149+ words) Ice hockey chiefs confirm stance on neck guards for Winter Olympics - The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has confirmed that neck guards will be compulsory for all ice hockey players at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026. - This decision follows the IIHF's announcement in December 2023 to make neck guards mandatory in all its competitions, though a specific start date was not initially given. - The move comes after the death of Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson in October 2023, who suffered a fatal neck injury from a skate during a British Elite League match. - While Ice Hockey UK already mandates neck guards for its national team, the British Elite League has only 'strongly encouraged' their use since Johnson's death, not making them a requirement. - North America's National Hockey League (NHL) will make neck guards compulsory for new players from the 2026-27 season but not…...