Milan Hockey Arenas Race Deadline Ahead of Olympics (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: With less than a month to go until the Winter Olympics kick off here in Milan, concerns have been mounting over whether key ice hockey venues like this one will be ready on time. Construction delays here at the Sampson Junior Ice Hockey Arena and the Secondary Road facility have raised serious questions about the Games. These venues are crucial as the NHL makes its long-awaited return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014. And I'm here at this test event to see if, in fact, the ice is up to scratch and the venue will be ready on time. Just walking up here, the outside of the arena definitely did not look completely ready. There was a lot of work going on. But what still needs to be done?

[00:00:38] Speaker 2: As you can look around yourself, we still have to finish just the top level. But small things like parapets, people go on the ice, the experts are going to be here, they will look, they will make some comments, we will make some adjustments so that we make sure we have it exactly right for the Olympic Games. NHL is here with the delegation. We're very excited they're coming back. 12 years, there was a lot of work from a lot of people to make sure this happens. So, yeah, you will have NHL players here in February and it's going to be amazing.

[00:01:08] Speaker 1: The International Hockey Federation and the players giving the ice their reviews.

[00:01:13] Speaker 3: We know how it's difficult to have a high level of quality of ice for the third game of the third period. Yesterday, that was a good test because that was fantastic. The puck was sliding, it was not bumping. And there is some adjustment, there was a little bit more snow, but that's really something that was a conclusive test.

[00:01:35] Speaker 4: I mean, it's better than we expected, but it was a little soft. The puck was kind of sticking, but I mean, overall, I think it was OK for the first few games on this new arena. And yeah, hopefully by Olympic time, it'll be ready to go.

[00:01:49] Speaker 1: Organizers insist progress is being made. As you just heard, with the clock ticking, pressure is on to deliver before the first puck drops.