Two-time Olympic champion Alexander Kozhevnikov shared the opinion of the International Council of the Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that the national teams of Russia and Belarus have extended the ban on participation in international competitions for the 2023/24 season. Transmits words “Sport Express”.
“No wonder. Look at the hybrids and decide. What can we do? Nothing. Latvia or Finland, it turns out, has decided on something. The Finns have won the World Cup at least twice in a row, a piece of themselves of course. And all the rot is back. the rest support them, ”said Kozhevnikov.
On January 25, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it is considering the possibility of allowing Russian athletes who do not support the conduct of a special operation on Ukrainian territory to participate in international competitions in a neutral status.
Recall that the International Ice Hockey Federation previously decided to exclude Russian hockey players from participation in international tournaments, even with a neutral status, and took from Russia the right to host international home competitions.
Previously reportedThat the IIHF will address the issue of accepting Russian and Belarusian hockey players in March 2024.