Officials Still Seek Vandals

U.S. Olympic Committee officials were not placated by an apology issued last Friday by Chris Chelios on behalf of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team for vandalizing three rooms at the Nagano Olympic village, and they said Monday they still hope the culprits will come forward.

Chelios sent a letter and a check for $3,000 to Japanese Olympic officials to pay for the damages, sounding a conciliatory tone for the first time by saying the actions of some of his teammates were inexcusable. Although the USOC said last week it might settle for an apology and restitution, Executive Director Dick Schultz and President Bill Hybl are not satisfied.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t settle the situation,” Schultz said. “I’d still prefer to receive apologies from the individuals directly involved.”

Hybl also said he wants individual apologies and said he would like to see the team make another gesture, perhaps in the form of a donation to youth athletics. Sanctions, such as banning all 23 members of the Nagano squad, have not yet been ruled out.

“We regard the developments of the past weekend as a positive step,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “We don’t believe that a more satisfactory solution will necessarily be achieved through continued public discussion of the issue. As such, we will, for the time being, communicate on the matter privately with the NHL, NHL Players’ Assn. and the USOC.”