King Kaufman's Sports Daily
Forget pompous Opening Ceremonies. First scandal, starring Gretzky, is real Olympic kickoff. Plus: Michaels traded for bunny.
Read more: Sports, Disney, Olympics, TV, NBC, ABC, NHL, Universal, Gambling, Ice Hockey, King Kaufman, 2002 Olympics, Sports Daily
Feb. 10, 2006 | The Children of All Nations are gathered in Turin. The colored ribbons are at the ready, the French horn music is queued up, the postmodern-lite dancers are painted head-to-toe to symbolize the spirit of friendship as they emerge from Lucite orbs, flashpots heralding their arrival.
The Stealth Olympics begin with Friday night's Opening Ceremonies.
What, you didn't know that?
The great thing about the Olympics is their reliable continuity and sameness -- most sports look pretty much the same from one four-year period to the next, and it's not like Cameroon is going to up and move to Washington and change its name to the Nationals -- combined with their ability to surprise.
For example, this year, the juicy and delicious scandal is being brought to the Olympics, rather than originating there or happening years in advance. You see how the Olympics can find new ways to thrill and delight?
Wayne Gretzky, the grand pooh-bah of Team Canada hockey, says he will travel to Italy Sunday despite being in the thick of a gambling scandal that's rocking the NHL, where the Great One has a day job as head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.
New Jersey authorities say they've cracked a $1.7 million nationwide gambling ring with mob ties, allegedly run by two state troopers and Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet, who face gambling, conspiracy and money-laundering charges. State police say bettors, including NHL players, placed wagers on football and basketball games, but not NHL games, though an investigation is continuing. The NHL is also investigating.
Gretzky says he doesn't gamble at all and would resign from Team Canada had he placed even a $1 bet, and he's reportedly not the focus of the New Jersey probe. But he's had a bad few days as the scandal moved closer and closer to him.
On Tuesday he acted surprised when reporters asked him about reports that his wife, Janet Jones Gretzky, had bet large sums with the ring. He said through a tight-lipped smile that he knew nothing about it, looking for all the world like a man about to go home and kick his dog.
On Thursday the Newark Star-Ledger reported that Gretzky could be heard on wiretaps talking to Tocchet about how to keep his wife from being implicated. Jones Gretzky issued a statement saying she hadn't placed bets for him, and Gretzky denies any knowledge.
The Great One is passionate about Team Canada, and he's said he wouldn't do anything to embarrass the team or the country. But he's going to Turin, the gambling scandal in tow.
