Will the Russian hockey team play at the Olympics? Answer from the IOC.

Russian teams remain banned from the 2026 Olympics

Russian teams, including the star hockey team, remain banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics due to sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to Reuters, the International Olympic Committee confirmed this information in a statement.

"The recommendation of the IOC Executive Board from March 2023 regarding teams of athletes with Russian passports remains in effect. We take into account that the IIHF has confirmed that it will adhere to this recommendation," the IOC said.

The IOC reacted to reports from Russia about negotiations with the IIHF regarding the participation of the Russian hockey team in the Olympics. According to the IOC's recommendations, athletes with Russian passports may only participate in competitions as individual neutral athletes.

Liked posts supporting the war

Ksenia Korzhova, a Russian figure skater recognized as a neutral athlete by the ISU, liked posts supporting the war. Among them are posts regarding Russian aggression supported by Mykyta Nahornyi, who was sanctioned for supporting aggression against Ukraine.

Korzhova supported posts featuring Putin, Russian servicemen, and the organization "Yunarmia". Four Russian figure skaters were allowed to participate in the qualifying competitions for the Olympics: Petro Humenyk, Adelina Petrosyan, Vladyslav Dikyji, and Alina Horbacheva.

In turn, due to support for Russia's aggression, the chances of going to the Olympics were lost by Anastasia Mishina, Alexander Galliamov, Alexandra Stepanova, and Ivan Bukin.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy will take place from February 6 to 22. Ukrainian athletes continue to compete against their Russian counterparts, who lost their right to participate in competitions due to supporting Russia's aggressive actions.