Olympic reserve: our hockey players will miss the World Cup, but retain a chance for the Games-2026

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has not allowed the Russian national team to participate in the World Championship in 2026. At a meeting of the organization's executive committee held on Tuesday, February 4, it was decided to extend the suspension of our teams from international tournaments for one more season. The main argument is the difficulties in ensuring the safety of the participants of the competitions. At the same time, the Russian national hockey team still has a chance to play at the Olympics-2026. This issue will be considered directly by the IOC.

In any case

Official information on the results of the IIHF Executive Committee meeting was given by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation. From our country at the meeting was a special representative of the FHR on international affairs Pavel Bure. According to him, for three years there have already been positive developments in communication with foreign colleagues, but it is not enough.

- We have achieved that our position is finally heard by our partners. At the last meeting I personally spoke three times, - Bure's words are quoted by the official website of the FHL. - Before that we were not allowed to voice our position or even attend the meeting. One of the IIHF arguments in favor of not allowing our team was the safety of the participants. In our opinion, this argument is not strong enough. There are more than 50 Russians playing in the NHL. Russian swimmers, chess players, representatives of other sports participate in international competitions - and there are no incidents at them.

As a result of its meeting on February 4, the IIHF Council believes that the return of the national and club teams of Russia and Belarus to the championships in the season-2025/26 is not safe yet. Since the current conditions do not allow to fulfill the necessary requirements to organize tournaments that guarantee the safety of all participants, the IIHF should maintain the current status until further notice.

- Of course, I was hoping for a positive decision from the IIHF, but as we can see, so far they have not decided to admit our athletes," former Russian national team coach Vyacheslav Bykov told Izvestia. - It's a pity, but we will continue to wait for changes in this situation. It is clear that everything can quickly return to normal if the peace talks are finalized.

Dmitry Svishchev, a member of the State Duma and head of the Russian Curling Federation, is sure that much depends on the position of the sponsors of major international competitions.

- Unfortunately, some comrades are at odds with words, some international functionaries have not fulfilled what they promised," Svischev commented to Izvestia on the extension of sanctions. It is expected. I think that the talk about our return was a throw-in to probe the mood of national hockey federations, IOC, sponsors and so on. These words should not have been taken seriously. Here we need to understand that the World Championship is a sporting event that relies on sponsors. And they are companies from overseas and European countries, which are not friends of Russia.

As Bure noted, the Russian side offered to finance additional security for its team, but the executive committee of the international federation did not agree.

- The IIHF will have to allow our team anyway, because without Russia the level of world championships is much lower. We will challenge this decision in court and in any case we will get our way," Bure added.

Olympic chance

The FCD emphasized that the federation has the right to challenge the IIHF decision after the end of the World Cup 2025. In addition, the international federation admits the possibility of revising the decision in case of termination of the SWO.

It should be noted that the IIHF executive committee meeting did not discuss the participation of the Russian national hockey team in the Olympics-2026. As Bure stated, this decision will be made directly by the IOC. According to the source, the IOC will decide on the admission of the Russian national team to the Games-2026 in Milan after the election of the head of the organization. Recall that the 144th session of the IOC will be held in Greece from 19 to 21 March, then the election of a new president of the organization.

And, according to the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, the government is actively working here.

- As for the team competitions, we naturally continue and will continue our contacts with the IOC, we will defend the interests of our athletes and our Olympic team, we will have to spend, of course, additional efforts and time in order to settle this problem," Dmitry Peskov emphasized to TASS.

At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Russians were allowed to participate only in neutral status under a number of conditions.

- Did anyone expect a different decision? I think it is wrong to expect any handouts from the IIHF at this time. We will be back at the right time! And we will definitely come back with the anthem and the flag! - two-time Olympic champion Vyacheslav Fetisov told Izvestia. - I believe that if the Russian national team is going to be returned to the international arena, we need to bend our line. Namely to return with the flag, anthem and coat of arms on the chest! This is a symbol of our traditions and great victories. We cannot agree to any other terms.

The 2026 Games will be held from February 6 to 22 in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.