Active Team Sports : 2006 : February : 15

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/53034700@N00/100162359/ Wayne Gretzky under media scrutiny Originally uploaded by eteamz photos.

We were kind of avoiding this topic. Secretly hoping that we would wake up, and like a bad episode of ???Dallas???, find out it was all a bad dream. But it???s impossible to deny that Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest hockey player ever, is involved directly or indirectly in some rather unsavory gambling allegations.

Whether he knew or did not know that his wife and assistant coach were placing bets is difficult to say. But what is worth debating is whether Mr. Hockey should even be in Turin to support the Canadian national hockey team.

Players for Team Canada say Gretzky should definitely be there and fully support him. But the press conferences have been dominated by questions about ???Gretzky-Gate??? and one wonders would the team have better served by Gretzky staying home. Many contend that hockey ???owes??? Gretzky this honor---but does any sport owe an athlete anything?

Click hereto tell us what you think about Wayne Gretzky???s participation in the Olympics. Also check out our hockey message boardsto see what other members of the eteamz community are saying. And if you???d like to be a guest blogger here just click on the ???blog with us??? link