Wayne Gretzky says it’s over. The distant look in his eyes and the weariness in his voice say it’s not.
Gretzky, hockey’s biggest name and the touchstone of all things sporting in Canada, didn’t arrive at the Olympics until Tuesday.
Already, he can’t wait for the questions to stop.
With the Olympic hockey tournament starting, Gretzky is promising he won’t talk again in Turin about his links to a sports gambling ring allegedly run by one of his own assistant coaches and possibly patronised by Gretzky’s own wife.
”As I said seven days ago, it doesn’t involve me. I’m not involved,” Gretzky said. ”I’ve said it for seven days, it’s over and done with.”
But with so much attention on him at the world’s biggest sporting event, so many reporters trying to read his every gesture, so much expected of his Team Canada, Gretzky knows he will be asked about it. Repeatedly — gold medal or not.
”I’ve stood forward each and every day, and I’ll talk hockey all day long, take any questions about the hockey team or the Olympic games,” Gretzky said at his second packed news conference in as many days on as many continents.
”But, quite frankly, it’s over and done with.”
Like it or not, Gretzky understands his problems could immerse others should Canada not live up to its own immense expectations in a tournament it won in 2002 and is a favourite to win again. Canada plays Italy in one of six round-robin games on Wednesday.
”If we don’t win the gold medal, obviously I’ll get blamed, but I’ve been blamed for losses before. It’s not going to change my life,” said Gretzky, who, as executive director, is effectively Team Canada’s general manager.
Canada won its first gold medal in 50 years in 2002, and would have faced a tough road to a repeat even without the constant gambling questions swirling around Gretzky. The Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden and possibly the United States could prove road blocks to another Canadian title.
”This is a tough tournament, a great tournament, and the best players in the world participate in it,” said Gretzky, the Phoenix Coyotes coach and a part owner of the team. ”Each and every year, more and more teams become more and more competitive.”
Gretzky was accompanied to Turin by wife Janet Jones, who is alleged to have placed bets with the gambling ring. Also making the trip was Gretzky’s father, Walter, who attended his son’s news conference.
Not that the elder Gretzky heard anything different. Gretzky repeated much of what he said at a pre-Olympics news conference on Monday in suburban Toronto, before Team Canada took an overnight flight to Italy.
There, Gretzky repeated there was no reason for him to leave his job with the Olympic team. Canada’s players have fully supported him, and several said the investigation will not be a distraction.
”We’re thinking about what athletes have to think about, and focus on the job at hand,” Canada coach Pat Quinn said. ”They have to put things aside, and whatever that distraction may be, that’s exactly what they expect of themselves and we’re all going to move forward.”
Gretzky (45) became linked to the gambling ring when a New Jersey state trooper, another New Jersey man and Coyote’s assistant coach Rick Tocchet were charged with running a nationwide sports gambling operation. State police said wagers exceeded $1,7-million in the five weeks leading to the Super Bowl, and were mostly on pro football. Authorities said Tocchet, Gretzky’s longtime friend, financed the ring.
The alleged ring was exposed after a six-week police investigation called Operation Slap Shot. Its customers allegedly included NHL players, but there is no evidence any bet on hockey.
Gretzky’s wife, a film actress, hasn’t been charged, but she is expected to be subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating gambling activity, attorneys said. The NHL also has launched an investigation. – Sapa-AP