IOC Plans To Exclude Russia from Upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics: IIHF President

The president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) plans to exclude Russia from the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Luc Tardif, quoted Sunday by HockeyNews.se and Hokej.cz, discussed Russian participation in future events, particularly the next Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

“The IOC is the organizer; we only handle the competition (the hockey tournaments) itself," Tardif said. “We have been urging them to make a decision, as the Olympics are approaching and we need to be informed."

“Recently, they requested us to provide a schedule without Russia, so that is the current situation. The official statement is pending, but the IOC has informed us that they are notifying the Russian Olympic Committee of their non-participation in the Olympics."

Russia was barred from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris due to the country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Individual athletes from Russia were allowed to compete, but not under their country’s flag.

The official IOC announcement has yet to be made. Belarus, an ally of Russia, is also expected to be excluded from the Olympics again.

Russia hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and has won 46 gold medals across six Winter Games. The Soviet Union won 78 gold medals.

The Winter Olympics begin in February, and much of the preparation is already underway. The men’s and women’s ice hockey teams have already been selected and divided into groups for the competition, excluding Russia and Belarus.

(with agency inputs)