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Russia’s hockey chief views IIHF’s decision to bar Russia as ‘human rights violation’

In February 2022, the IIHF suspended Russia and Belarus from participation in international competitions

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. The International Ice Hockey Federation is violating the rights of Russian athletes by barring them from its events, President of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RHF) Vladislav Tretiak told TASS on Wednesday.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) voted on February 4 to exclude Russia from taking part in the 2026 IIHF World Cup.

"I was 17 years old when I won the World Championship and 19 when I won an Olympic [gold medal] and me personally, I feel sorry for our guys, because they have been deprived of the right to fight for such prestigious medals as at the world hockey tournaments due to the restrictions in place," Tretiak said in an interview with TASS.

"Russia has raised generations of new talents capable of playing at the junior and youth tournaments fighting their way to the senior national team to win the medals," Tretiak continued. "However, they are barred from entering competitions that include other countries. They are being deprived of their dream, which means a lot to every athlete. This is a human rights violation."

"Anyway, we will stand on our laurels, keep fighting for our guys, national ice hockey and Russian sports," he concluded.

In February 2022, the IIHF suspended Russia and Belarus from participation in international competitions. The national teams have already missed out on three world championships and will be barred from the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship as well.

In late March, 2023, the IOC recommended to permit individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to take part in international sports tournaments, but only under certain conditions. Specifically, athletes from the two countries must compete under a neutral status. Russia and Belarus were also banned from participating in international team events.

Switzerland will host the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on May 15-31.

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