The IOC did not allow Russians to participate in the 2026 Winter Games
28 May 05:47
The Russian national hockey team will not participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee has confirmed the suspension of the aggressor country’s athletes, Reuters reports, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs
The IOC continues to adhere to the recommendations that exclude Russian teams from participating in international competitions.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) previously banned hockey players from Russia and Belarus after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
“This recommendation (for October 2023) was made after consultations with the relevant international federations and other stakeholders in the Olympic movement. This position reflects the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee due to its annexation of regional sports organizations on the territory of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. Such actions are a violation of the Olympic Charter, as they violate the territorial integrity of the NOC of Ukraine, recognized by the IOC in accordance with the Olympic Charter,” the Olympic body explained.
The 2026 Olympics hockey tournament will feature 12 national teams. All matches will be held in Milan. The city, known as the fashion capital, has prepared two arenas: PalaItalia and Fiera Milano.
