Two-time Olympic hockey champion Alexander Kozhevnikov called the decision of the International Hockey Federation (IIHF) to extend the suspension of the Russian national team’s participation in tournaments under its auspices predictable. His words guide the way “Sports Express”.
“It was clear that Pavel Vladimirovich Bure would stand up for us and ask questions to the scoundrels. And scoundrels don’t want the truth. Therefore, he was not allowed to participate in the discussion. Is such behavior by the IIHF possible? Now they have become arrogant. They are given permission to do anything and they do it. There are also Swedes and Finns who are disturbed by this. For us this is crazy, but for them it is normal behavior,” Kozhevnikov said.
The IIHF Council met on February 12-13, 2024 and it was decided to extend the suspensions of Russia and Belarus for another season. The organization stated that the IIHF 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.
The national teams of Russia and Belarus missed the 2022 and 2023 world championships by the decision of the IIHF, and in 2024 the world championship will take place without them. This decision was taken based on the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to international federations not to allow Russian athletes to compete. Russian hockey players lost the opportunity to compete in international tournaments even in a neutral situation. Additionally, Russia was stripped of its right to host the 2023 World Junior Championships.
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