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IOC to weigh in on decision about Russian hockey team’s participation in Olympics

On February 4, the International Ice Hockey Federation Council made a decision not to allow the Russian national team’s participation in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship

GENEVA, February 4. /TASS/. A decision on the participation of Russia’s national team in the Olympic hockey tournament will be made following a recommendation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Pavel Bure, special representative of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation for international affairs, said as quoted by the organization’s press service.

Earlier, a source conveyed this information to TASS.

"I will note that the decision on the Russian national team participating in the 2026 Olympics in Italy will be made by the International Olympic Committee," Bure said.

On February 4, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Council made a decision not to allow the Russian national team’s participation in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship. Hockey players from Russia and Belarus have been barred from participating in international competitions since February 2022. Due to this, their national teams have already missed three world championships and will be barred from the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship as well.

In the event the Russians do not participate in the Olympics, their spot will be taken by France, which is the top team among non-qualifiers. Frenchman Luc Tardif is the IIHF’s president.