Canada's NHL Millionaires Make a Shocking Decision in Milan's Olympic Village โ Mikko Rantanen: 'It's Such a Big World Thing'
Team Canada chose to move to a five-star hotel instead of staying in the Olympic village during the Milan games, sparking mixed reactions.
The Canadian ice hockey team initially spent their first nights in the modest accommodations of the Olympic village in Milan, which raised eyebrows among fans and other teams. However, the players quickly packed their bags and relocated to a five-star hotel, a decision that some have labeled as prima donna behavior. Notably, Finnish player Mikko Rantanen shared that he encountered his former teammate Nathan MacKinnon during the transition, who was just there to soak in the atmosphere of the village.
Rantanen jokingly commented on the move, acknowledging that it can be seen as a hint of arrogance that players of their stature feel the need to leave the Olympic village for luxury accommodations. He expressed a lighthearted tone about the situation, emphasizing that while it may seem frivolous, every player has the right to decide what they believe is best for themselves. His remarks suggest that although many may criticize the decision, the pressure and expectations on elite athletes can lead to such choices.
This decision and subsequent comments highlight the divide between traditional Olympic values of competition and camaraderie versus the modern professional athlete's lifestyle, especially in high-stakes environments. It raises questions about how much leverage athletes feel they have over arrangements that were once commonplace and reflects the changing nature of Olympic participation in sports, where luxury can sometimes overshadow the competitive spirit.