The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday made official that Russians will not participate in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics in hockey.
A number of individual Russian figure skaters have been cleared to attempt to contend for an Olympic spot as a neutral athlete without representing Russia. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation and International Ice Hockey Federation had talks about a team of Russians competing in hockey without representing the country, which prompted the IOC's ruling today.
"The IOC Executive Board recommendation from March 2023 with regard to teams of athletes with a Russian passport remains in place," read the IOC's statement. "It is based on the fact that, by definition, a group of Individual Neutral Athletes cannot be considered a team. We take note that the IIHF has confirmed that it will follow this recommendation."
France will replace Russia in hockey as a result.
The ruling likely marks the end of Evgeni Malkin's Olympic career. He'll be 43 for the 2030 Olympics, the next chance he would have to compete. Malkin previously competed in 2006, 2010 and 2014, totaling six goals and nine assists in 16 games. Russia lost in the bronze medal game to Czechia in 2006, lost to Canada in the semifinals in 2010, and lost to Finland in the quarterfinals in 2014.
THE ASYLUM
No Russia in Olympics
The International Olympic Committee on Tuesday made official that Russians will not participate in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics in hockey.
A number of individual Russian figure skaters have been cleared to attempt to contend for an Olympic spot as a neutral athlete without representing Russia. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation and International Ice Hockey Federation had talks about a team of Russians competing in hockey without representing the country, which prompted the IOC's ruling today.
"The IOC Executive Board recommendation from March 2023 with regard to teams of athletes with a Russian passport remains in place," read the IOC's statement. "It is based on the fact that, by definition, a group of Individual Neutral Athletes cannot be considered a team. We take note that the IIHF has confirmed that it will follow this recommendation."
France will replace Russia in hockey as a result.
The ruling likely marks the end of Evgeni Malkin's Olympic career. He'll be 43 for the 2030 Olympics, the next chance he would have to compete. Malkin previously competed in 2006, 2010 and 2014, totaling six goals and nine assists in 16 games. Russia lost in the bronze medal game to Czechia in 2006, lost to Canada in the semifinals in 2010, and lost to Finland in the quarterfinals in 2014.
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