The IOC always plays hardball. That's what they do. The fact that the players want to go is literally the only leverage they have (had).
If the players wanted to guarantee participation they should've negotiated that in the CBA, or even just agreed not to opt out, as has been explained to you multiple times. That would've been the smart move if they really wanted to go instead of relying on the good graces of the owners who take on all the risk and no reward.
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