Equity on Thin Ice

As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, an unexpected debate about hockey player safety has grabbed headlines.  Although Olympic hockey rosters have been released, officials from the National Hockey League (“NHL”) have emphasized that player participation is still not fully guaranteed. NHL Officials have publicly stated that they may not send their players to the Olympics if the primary hockey rink in Milan is not completed and deemed safe to play on (CBC). This concern for player safety comes less than two months before the Games are set to begin and raises crucial questions regarding sports equity.

The raised safety concerns extend beyond visible issues like ice quality and padding; they include factors such as ice smoothness, padding thickness, and board reliability. Addressing these hidden risks is vital for athlete well-being, as minor oversights can lead to serious injuries during high-speed collisions or top-speed skating.

For example, mandatory protective equipment continues to evolve in response to real-world dangers. After the tragic death of Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson in 2023, governing bodies moved to require neck guards at the Olympic level starting in 2026, something that was previously optional in many senior leagues. The evolution in the mandatory protective equipment demonstrates the need for hockey to continue to evolve in response to real-world dangers, in order to protect its players. 

 Returning to the current Olympic arena ice concerns, ensuring the playing surface is safe is only part of the equation; proper equipment and athlete preparation are equally critical. Sports medicine experts recommend focusing on conditioning, strengthening core and hip muscles, wearing helmets with visors, and developing soft-contact skills to minimize injury risks. 

Encouraging respectful play, where physical contact is controlled rather than reckless, is just as crucial. In youth and adult leagues alike, enforcing rules against dangerous hits (i.e., boarding or checking from behind) directly lowers concussion and injury risks.

Professional leagues like the NHL and international federations increasingly make choices with safety at the forefront. Whether it’s insisting on safe ice conditions, mandating protective gear, or educating about injury prevention, the message is clear: competitive success and safety are not mutually exclusive. 

Sport equity involves fairness and protection for all, making it clear that safety is essential for a just and equitable competition environment, encouraging the audience to value fairness.

Concerns about potentially unsafe ice in Milan highlight that athletes should never be forced to risk their health for competition, fostering concern and urging support for safety standards.  Considering sport equity, unsafe playing conditions create unequal risk. NHL athletes and other elite athletes may have access to better medical care, equipment, and advocacy through professional leagues. In contrast, athletes in lower-funded programs or youth sports often do not. If top professionals are unwilling to play on unsafe ice, it raises an important question: Why are less-protected athletes sometimes expected to accept those same risks?

See the NHL players on rosters for 2026 Winter Olympics here.