Larionov expressed regret over the absence of Russian hockey players at the Olympics.

SKA coach Igor Larionov expressed regret over the absence of Russian hockey players at the 2026 Olympics and called such competitions the wrong holiday. He made the corresponding statement on January 30 at a press conference after the Kontinental Hockey League match with the Spartak team.

"The attention of the world community is always focused on this. The non—admission of the Russian national team to the Olympics is a significant loss for me," Larionov said, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

He also noted that Russian hockey players have long become an integral part of world competitions. According to him, games without the participation of the Russian team "are not the right holiday."

"This causes me deep regret. Our athletes demonstrate a high level of play. It is unclear how it was possible not to invite them. We are part of the global hockey family, and this issue had to be resolved," said the SKA coach.

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Two-time Olympic hockey champion and State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Fetisov said on January 9 that he would not be watching the 2026 Olympic Games. He added that the decision to show the Olympics should be made by the TV channels themselves, however, in his opinion, it is not interesting to watch it without Russian athletes.

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