Two-time Olympic champion and world hockey champion Alexander Kozhevnikov spoke about the decision of the International Hockey Federation (IIHF) to extend Russia’s suspension. He stated that the organization continues to implement its double standards policy.
“It is an expected solution, it is nothing new. Everything is going as planned in the IIHF. The fact that the Russian team was not allowed to compete but the Israeli team was not suspended is a double standard on the part of the IIHF. In general, politics in sports is a very scary thing,” Kozhevnikov said in an interview. “Match TV”.
The expert noted that the IIHF’s future actions regarding Russia could be determined by the Canadians. According to Kozhevnikov, Canadian representatives may not want to participate in the Olympics if there are no Russian hockey players there and, as a result, high competition.
“They can calmly say: ‘If Russia does not participate in the Olympics, we will not participate’. The Russians will lose, they will become champions. And if they win without us, it will be a political issue, especially for the NHL. The KHL is the second league in the world and it does not matter in what state it is. That is Therefore, the only hope for the pre-Olympic season is the Canadians,” says Kozhevnikov.
The IIHF Council meeting, where the decision to extend the suspension of the Russians was taken, took place on February 12-13. According to the IIHF press service, the council will continue to monitor the situation and in May 2025 will consider the reintegration of the Russian and Belarusian national teams for the 2025/26 season.
Formerly a KHL club statedbroke the world record.