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NBC Sports issues statement on NHL’s Olympic decision

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GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 28: A view of the Gangneung Hockey Centre in the Gangneung Coastal Cluster, host of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, on February 28, 2017 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

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Shortly after the NHL announced it wouldn’t be participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, an NBC Sports spokesperson released the following statement:

“The Olympics have long been the world’s greatest international hockey tournament irrespective of whether professionals or amateurs are playing.

“Although we’re disappointed that NHL players will not get the chance to experience and compete at the 2018 Winter Olympics next February, we’re confident that hockey fans and Olympic viewers will tune in to watch the unique style of play that occurs at the Olympic Winter Games when athletes are competing for their country.”

This will mark the first time in 24 years -- dating back to the ’94 Games in Lillehammer, Norway -- that the NHL will not be sending its players to the Winter Olympics.

NBC’s Olympic coverage begins Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. It will mark the first time ever that NBC will broadcast all of its programming live across all time zones.

Related:

-- Bettman points finger at IOC for opening a ‘whole can of worms’

-- Ovechkin vows to play in Olympics even if NHL doesn’t participate