Solution International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) extends its suspension Russian national team and not suspending the Israeli team is a policy of double standards, the Olympic champion told Alexander Kozhevnikov .
On Monday, the International Ice Hockey Federation extended the suspension of the national teams of Russia and Belarus from international tournaments for the 2024/25 season.
— Expected decision, nothing new. At the IIHF, everything is going according to plan. Not allowing the Russian team to compete, but not suspending the Israeli team, constitutes a double standard on the part of the IIHF. In general, politics in sports is a very scary thing. It is difficult to say if we will be suspended for the 2025/26 season, because we will have to observe the actions of the Canadians before the Olympic Games.
– Canadians?
– Yes. They can calmly say: “If Russia does not participate in the Olympics, we will not participate.” » The Russians will be defeated, the champions. And if they win without us, it’s a political matter, especially for the NHL. The KHL is the second largest league in the world, and it doesn’t matter what state it is in. Therefore, the only hope for the pre-Olympic season is the Canadians,” Kozhevnikov told .
The national hockey teams of Russia and Belarus, as well as national clubs, were first suspended from participation in international tournaments in February 2022. In March 2023, the restriction was extended until the end of the 2023/24 season.
The XXV Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo will be held from February 6 to 22, 2026.
Source : MatchTV
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