There have been several alarm reports about the Santa Giulia Arena in Milan, which is one of the few newly built arenas for the Winter Olympics.
The construction of the arena was delayed and by the time the women's tournament starts on February 5, it is likely that not all the decorations will be in place and the paint will barely have had time to dry.
The significantly bigger concerns have been about the ice, partly because it does not meet NHL standards, which the league has hesitantly approved, and partly because of concerns that the ice will not be of the highest quality.
"If the players feel the ice is not safe, we will not play. It is that simple," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in early December.
“Now I can sleep well again”
That's why the recent test matches at the stadium were important.
"We were a little worried, but in the last month it has felt better and better and after this weekend we are satisfied. Now I can sleep well again," Luc Tardif, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), told AFP.
He said the biggest test, three matches on Saturday, went well.
"The puck slid well and didn't bounce," Tardif said.
The IOC was worried
Even the International Olympic Committee's chief executive for the Games, Christophe Dubi, can now breathe a sigh of relief.
"Was I worried? Of course. Six months ago it didn't look like this, I can tell you that," he told AFP.
Dubi said he had put heavy pressure on the Italian Olympic organizer to ensure that the stadium would be completed in time.
"I've probably been here 25 times. The last time, before Christmas, it looked very different. A lot has happened; hats off to everyone," he said.
The Olympic ice hockey tournament will be played in two arenas. The women's tournament starts on February 5 and the men's tournament six days later.
