IOC Sports Director McConnell urged to work on the admission of Russians to tournaments

Organizations need to work to ensure that Russian athletes can participate in competitions in a neutral status. This was announced on June 11 by the Sports Director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Keith McConnell.

"Our position at the IOC has been clear and unchanged since the beginning of the conflict — athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments. We must work together to ensure that these athletes, even in a neutral status, can compete with their colleagues from other countries," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.

He expressed gratitude to those who allowed neutral athletes with Belarusian and Russian passports to participate in the competition. McConnell also stated that the IOC is open to any topics related to the support and development of the athlete admission process and other subtleties.

Out of the game: what is happening with the admission of our hockey players to the 2026 Olympics

There is still hope for the new IOC President Kirsty Coventry.

On June 2, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) announced the non-admission of the Russian national team to the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Milan. The organization made this decision after a request from the IOC.