Zurich- Russia and Belarus have to stay out of the International Ice Hockey Federation competitions through 2025-26 season.
The IIHF’s decision on Tuesday included all World Championships and the Winter Olympic Games in Italy, although the last terms of the International Olympic Committee.
IIHF said, “It is not yet safe to re -organize Russian and Belarusi national and club teams,” because the current security situation does not allow the necessary requirements for the organization of tournaments that guarantee the safety of all. ,
The IIHF Council said it would assess the issue in May 2026.
2026 Winter Olympic Match and Cortina are scheduled for 6–22 February.
Russia has won the Olympic gold nine times, as the Soviet Union or Integrated Team. Russia won silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, a few weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia and Belarus have since been banned from the International Ice Hockey Tournament.
In 2023, IOC Green-Lit Russian and Belarusian individual athletes participated in international programs after fulfilling certain conditions, but have been banned from team’s programs.
The 2026 Olympics will welcome NHL players for the first time after the 2014 Sochi Games.