Won’t Someone Say ‘Sorry’? Team Asked To Take One For Recalcitrant Players

U.S. Olympic Committee President Bill Hybl said he would accept a group apology from the men’s Olympic hockey team and allow whoever trashed their rooms in the Olympic village in Nagano to remain unnamed.

The 23 National Hockey League players on the team have been silent about the Feb. 19 incident during which about $3,000 in damage was done to their rooms in the Olympic Village.

Hybl said the USOC will give the guilty parties more time to come forward. He said he wants the issue resolved before the USOC’s six officers and 19 voting members of its executive committee meet next month in Portland.

“We think it’s appropriate that either on an individual basis or a team basis (players) make an apology to the Japanese hosts and to the U.S. public who has supported the team,” said Hybl, who called for restitution of damages.

Hybl said the USOC isn’t backing down from its threat of an entire team sanction, even though the ban might not hold up if challenged in court.