Bach called on federations to consider allowing Russians to qualify for the Olympic Games

World sports federations need to consider allowing Russians to participate in Olympic qualification tournaments. This was announced on Friday, March 7, in an interview with the Associated Press (AP) by the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach.

"The mission of the Olympic movement is to unite. Winter sports federations should study this issue very carefully," he said.

In addition, the IOC president also touched upon the topic of the booing of the US national anthem by Canadian fans during the Four Nations Hockey tournament, which took place from February 12 to 20.

"It would not be very good for television and would be contrary to Olympic values," Bach said, answering a question about a possible repeat of the situation at the Olympics if Canada and the United States meet at the tournament.

The sports official also noted that the Olympic movement is in the process of establishing a new world order.

"The chances of going to the Olympics are minimal."

Russian biathlete Irina Kazakevich - about the Games-2026 and difficult weather conditions at domestic competitions

On December 20, 2024, the International Skating Union (ISU) allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the qualification for the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy in a neutral status.

Prior to that, on February 28, 2022, the IOC recommended that sports federations not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions. This happened after Russia launched a special operation to protect the population of Donbass.