Russian hockey not welcome in the Olympics

On a request from the International Olympic Committee, the International Ice Hockey Association has produced a game schedule for the hockey tournament in the Olympics in February.

In that schedule there is no Russia.

– We have pressed on the IOC because we have to get a game schedule, partly because the organizer must be able to start ticket sales, says Tardif.

The IOC recently changed chairman when Kirsty Coventry replaced Thomas Bach. This has meant that the decision was delayed longer than expected.

But according to Tardif, the IOC has decided that the same rules that applied in Paris 2024 will apply in Milan next year, that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus should be able to compete under neutral flags, but no teams.

IOC does not officially presented that decision.

– We will have a meeting next week with all the participating nations about what applies, says Tardif.

Russia and Belarus are then allowed to participate in the International Hockey Association’s competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Next year’s World Cup will also be without Russian participation, following a decision made by IIHF earlier this year.

So now the IOC goes on that line for the Olympic tournament as well.

Anders Larsson, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association chairman, is pleased with the message.

– The Swedish line is unchanged and it is and has been that in the current situation, it is unthinkable that Russia is included, says Larsson, who also sits on IIHF’s board.