By Steve Keating

(Reuters] – A little over a month before the Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, the Canadian Olympic Committee CEO said he’s growing more concerned about the possibility of the Games going ahead as planned.

David Shoemaker (CEO COC) stated that they are worried in a New Years’ eve interview. We are confident these Games will still be held safely.

“But, we are taking it day by day and getting up every morning so that we feel good about it.”

The National Hockey League (NHL), last month announced it would not send its players to the men’s ice hockey tournament due to “profound disruption” in its schedule.

On Saturday, the NHL postponed 90 NHL matches due to COVID-19 issues.

Others winter sports, such as alpine skiing and bobsleigh, have been affected by the disruptions.

Shoemaker stated that the COC will pull out on Beijing if it believes safety of athletes is at risk. This was the same decision it made in March 2020, when it decided to not send any team to Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Tokyo Games delayed by one year were eventually canceled.

Shoemaker stated that although we have not yet had a discussion with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding postponement, they are having frequent conversations with participating nations of winter sports and this may be an option.

The COC’s greatest problem is getting the athletes in the Beijing bubble, without them testing positive for COVID-19.

Shoemaker stated that “Medical experts are unanimous in agreeing that Omicron in February may be the most safe place to be” and that Beijing’s Olympic bubble is the best.

The real problem we have over the next thirty days will be how to ensure that Canadian participants are safe and able travel to Beijing.