Coronavirus crisis 'bigger than Olympics', says legend Wickenheiser

The greatest female ice hockey player in history is blasting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for continuing to recommend going ahead with July's Tokyo Games amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Canada's Hayley Wickenheiser, a member of the IOC's Athletes Commission, released a statement on Twitter last week, presenting her perspective－as both a six-time Olympian and a medical doctor in training.

The 41-year-old also serves as assistant director of player development for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.

"I've given this a lot of thought, and over the past few days my perspective has changed. I was voted to represent and protect athletes. As an IOCAC member, 6x Olympian and medical doctor in training on the front lines in ER up until this week, these are my thoughts. This crisis is bigger than even the Olympics," Wickenheiser tweeted last Wednesday.

"Athletes can't train. Attendees can't travel plan. Sponsors and marketers can't market with any degree of sensitivity.

"I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity. We don't know what's happening in the next 24 hours, let alone in the next three months."

Wickenheiser, who became the first female player invited to an NHL training camp when she tried out for the Philadelphia Flyers in 1998, won four consecutive Olympic gold medals with Canada to go along with her silver medal from the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.

She also competed in softball at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

"From an athlete's perspective, I can only imagine and try to empathize with the anxiety and heartbreak athletes are feeling right now," Wickenheiser wrote.

"The uncertainty of not knowing of where you're going to train tomorrow, as facilities close and qualification events are canceled all over the world, would be terrible if you've been training your whole life for this."

Wickenheiser was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame during her first year of eligibility in 2019.

The IOC released a statement last Tuesday asking athletes to prepare for the upcoming Games as per usual, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a media conference in Tokyo during which he stated the Games will go on despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Kozo Tashima, one of the vice-presidents of the Japanese Olympic Committee, revealed last week that he tested positive for the coronavirus. Tashima is also president of the Japanese Football Association.

Meanwhile, don't count on the NHL returning to action any time soon.

The league and the NHL Players' Association last week told players they can go home－even outside of North America－but must self-isolate through March 27 while the season is on hold.

The NHL also announced it is unable to provide guidance on the potential reopening of team practices for another 45 days, which could push any potential return to play into May.

Last week, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he is still optimistic about a resumption and awarding the Stanley Cup, which has been handed out every year since 1893 except for 1919, because of the Spanish flu outbreak, and 2005, due to a lockout that wiped out the entire season.

The Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League has paused its playoffs to determine a new format and schedule for its six remaining teams.

The decision came after Finnish club Jokerit and Kazakhstan team Barys Nur-Sultan pulled out of postseason play amid the pandemic.