The IOC is expected to exclude Russia from the 2026 Winter Olympics, with an official statement pending.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) appears poised to bar Russia from participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, according to new reports citing International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) President Luc Tardif.
IIHF Reveals IOC’s Position on Russian Participation
Luc Tardif recently shared with media outlets HockeyNews.se and Hokej.cz that the IOC has requested the ice hockey schedule for the 2026 Games without Russia included. Although the IOC has yet to issue an official statement, Tardif stated:
“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.”
Ongoing Consequences of Ukraine Invasion
Russia has already been banned from the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics as a result of its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While individual athletes were permitted to compete under a neutral flag, the nation itself was not officially represented.
Belarus, a close ally of Russia, is also expected to be excluded from the 2026 Winter Games.
Olympic Legacy and Current Exclusion
Russia has a storied Olympic history. Since hosting the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, it has won 46 gold medals across six Winter Games. The former Soviet Union remains a dominant historical force with 78 golds to its name.
Despite its past dominance, Russia’s absence from Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026 is becoming increasingly certain as the IOC takes steps toward finalizing the exclusion.
Ice Hockey Tournament Set Without Russia and Belarus
Preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics are already well underway, including finalized groupings for both the men’s and women’s ice hockey competitions—conspicuously absent of teams from Russia and Belarus.
As the Olympic countdown continues, all eyes are now on the IOC for a formal confirmation.
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