Jamie Nye: Could the two Michaels in China’s custody lead to an Olympic boycott?

In 2022, Canada is to send Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon to the Beijing Olympic Winter Games.

But should Canada participate, with the two Michaels still imprisoned? Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons raised the issue, believing until the two Canadians are freed, Canada shouldn’t spend any time allowing China to profit from our nation’s best.

I’m right there with him. But should the athletes really suffer for the Trudeau government not having this resolved? Not a chance.

They’ve trained their entire lives to reach the pinnacle.

Then you consider the ramifications. A caller, who was around in 1980, remembers when Canada boycotted the Moscow Games and it impacted exports and farmers. What could China do this time around?

There is another great option: Have our best go, have them hit the podium and have them wear “Free the Michaels” shirts and protest from within China.

The bottom line is this: If the two Michaels are still in a China prison come this time next year, it’ll be harder to stomach our best athletes playing a part in Chinese propaganda, which is what the 2022 Games will be.