Wild Players Parise, Suter Express Concern Over Sochi Security
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- As athletes from around the world prepare to attend the Olympics in Sochi next month, concerns about security continue to mount.
One member of the Senate Intelligence Committee says he wouldn't go, and he wouldn't have his family go.
Minnesotans traditionally are well represented in the winter games, especially in ice hockey.
Five members of the Minnesota Wild are on different Olympic teams. The Wild's Zach Parise is on Team USA.
"It's nerve-wracking that's for sure," he said. "I watch the news. You see that stuff going on, its not very comforting."
Parise who played for Team USA four years ago in Vancouver says the threat is such a concern he does not want his family there.
"I told them don't go," he said.
His Wild and Team USA teammate Ryan Suter is also troubled. But Suter believes the athletes will be protected.
"I feel like it's more for people that are going to be outside the Olympic park," he said. "I feel like the athletes are going to be safe."
The Wild's Mikael Granlund will go to the Olympics as a member of team Finland. He is optimistic Russian security forces will handle any threat.
"I think everything is going to be fine when the whole thing starts," he said.
All the players agree it is unfortunate that such a threat clouds the excitement over what they say is one of the greatest honors for any athlete.
Suter and Parise say they expect to get security updates from the NHL and U.S. Olympic officials in the next few days.