IOC upholds ban on Russian teams for 2026 Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that the ban on Russian teams will remain in effect for the 2026 Winter Olympics to be held in Italy. This decision, originally made in March 2023, stems from the ongoing sanctions against russia following its invasion of Ukraine.An IOC spokesperson stated that athletes with Russian passports cannot compete as teams; they can only participate as “Individual Neutral Athletes.” The affirmation of this ban coincides with the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) intent to exclude Russia and its national hockey team from the Olympics. Prior to this proclamation, the IIHF had requested a schedule for the upcoming games that did not include Russia. the Milano Cortina Olympics is set to take place from Febuary 6 to February 22,2026.
IOC upholds ban on Russian teams for 2026 Olympics
The International Olympic Committee announced Tuesday that the ban on Russian teams will be upheld for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
“The IOC Executive Board recommendation from March 2023 with regard to teams of athletes with a Russian passport remains in place,” an IOC spokesperson said, according to a report. “It is based on the fact that, by definition, a group of Individual Neutral Athletes cannot be considered a team.”
Affirmation of a continued ban, which began as part of sanctions imposed on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, arrives after International Ice Hockey Federation President Luc Tardif was quoted as saying the IOC had planned to exclude Russia and its star-studded hockey team from next year’s games.
“We have been pressuring them to make a decision, one way or another, because we’re getting closer to the Olympics and we need to know,” Tardif said.
“Recently, they asked us to send them a schedule without Russia, so that’s where we are. The official statement is pending but the IOC has told us that they are informing the Russian Olympic Committee that they are not participating in the Olympics.”
The IIHF is the governing body of world ice hockey and is responsible for overseeing and organizing the tournament at the Olympics.
“We take note that the IIHF has confirmed that it will follow this recommendation,” the IOC spokesperson said.
The Russian men’s ice hockey team did not compete in the 2025 IIHF World Championship, which ended on Sunday with the United States defeating Switzerland 1-0 to win the gold medal.
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Just over 30 Russian and Belarusian athletes competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as neutral athletes following intensive vetting, and at least four Russian figure skaters have been granted permission to try and qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to the report.
The Milano Cortina Olympics will run between Feb. 6 and Feb. 22, 2026.
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