Two-time Olympic medalist, former striker of the Czechoslovak national team Igor Liba said that the World Ice Hockey Championship would not be complete without the participation of the Russian national team.
“This is a circus and nothing more. I don’t know the World Cup without the Russians. This is not the World Cup.
Now the World Figure Skating Championships are held in Japan, but is it possible to talk about a sports summit? Unless there are better ones, there probably isn’t. Unfortunately, this is politics and everything is decided by politicians,” the former hockey player says. sports.cz.
On March 22, the Council of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decided to extend the suspension of Russia and Belarus from international tournaments. Next year the teams will miss the World Cup, which will be held in the Czech Republic.
Recall that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) decided last spring to exclude Russian hockey players from participation in international tournaments, even if they have a neutral status.
Luc Tardif, Former President of the International Ice Hockey Federation commented Information that the National Hockey League (NHL), together with the Canadian Hockey Federation (Canadian Hockey Federation), can play a number of matches with the Russian national team.