OlymPicks: Grand Prix China Leg Canceled, Gap in NHL Season Gives Hope

Chongqing international figure skating event canceled

China has never been a slouch when it comes to Olympic figure skating – it’s the country’s third best winter sport by medal count, beaten only by short track speed skating and freestyle skiing. So next year, all eyes will be on the Chinese figure skaters to do their country proud as it hosts the 2022 games.

Unfortunately, what would have been a key preparatory competition has now been canceled. The International Skating Union announced this week that the Chinese leg of the Grand Prix, which was to be held on Nov 7 in Chongqing, cannot go forward due to limitations on inbound travel.

However, the Grand Prix final in Osaka is expected to continue on from Dec 9-12.

NHL leaves gap in its season – just in case

Last week, we reported that a formal decision from the NHL on whether to allow its players to participate in the 2022 games is expected by the end of the month, but onlookers have now noticed that a gap has been conveniently left in the NHL season, which gives optimists a little extra hope.

Meanwhile, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy has been added as an assistant coach for the country’s men’s team. He’ll join head coach Jon Cooper of Tampa Bay Lightning fame.

If the NHL does allow it’s players to join, it would go a long way toward helping Canada push up its medal count, which is already projected to drop compared to previous years, according to Canadian public media.

Hydrogen refueling station opens in Beijing

Beijing’s first hydrogen refueling station,, designed for use in the 2022 Beijing games went into operation this week. Located in Changping, the station will service up to 60 fuel cell buses and other vehicles within a 1700-square meter area. It joins similar stations in Zhangjiakou and Hebei, with two additional stations on the way.

The stations aim to reduce 30 tons of carbon emissions throughout the Olympics.

READ: OlymPicks: The Deep Tech of the 2022 Games

Images: David W. Carmichael via Wikimedia.