Erik Karlsson hesitant about Olympic games: "Do not understand why anyone would want to take that risk"

There is uncertainty about the NHL players' participation in the Olympics.

The reason is that there has been plenty of information that players may be forced to quarantine for several weeks during a positive covid-19 test.

One of Sweden's biggest NHL stars, San Jose's defender Erik Karlsson is a player who is now open with the fact that he thinks he will say no to the Olympics if it should be that way.

- If it were to be that way, I do not think it is so likely that the boys will take that risk.

That's how I think anyway.

I do not understand why anyone would want to take the risk we take when we board the plane to China.

If you send over 250 people, with coaches and other staff included, someone will go there, says Erik Karlsson to the site San Jose Hockey Now, and is then asked if he will go to the Olympics if it is the way it is right now :

- No, most likely not.

I do not think so.

Like me, it's not very likely, it would not be very smart as a human being to do that, he replies.

- Everyone knows how much I love playing for the Olympics and how much I like the Olympics, but right now it does not seem to be feasible.

"Can not take that risk"

The fact that he has a two-year-old daughter is part of his decision.

- I, who have a family, can not take that risk.

I think it's unfortunate, and there are many others who probably feel the same way, even though I have not talked to too many, he says.

- We are doing quite well here, even though there are many restrictions.

It happens a lot, but you are at home anyway.

You are somewhere where you can get the help you need.

There is too much uncertainty if you are going to go on the other side of the earth and go to another country, where you can not get a straight answer about things.

Must submit two negative tests

The information on specific quarantine periods has been denied.

The latest information from the IOC says that if an athlete tests positive during the Olympics, the person must have submitted two negative tests 24 hours in a row to be allowed to go home from the Olympic bubble.

Depending on how long an athlete is ill, the quarantine can be long-lasting - but there is no mandatory quarantine period.

- There are no three weeks, four weeks or five weeks, said the Swedish Olympic Committee's press manager Lars Markusson to SVT Sport yesterday.

Swedish goalkeeper Robin Lehner has already turned down the Olympics.