NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed on Tuesday that Russian teams will continue to be prohibited from 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Officially closing the NHL star door Alex Ovechkin.
The IOC issued a statement after the comments of the president of the International Federation of Hockey ICE (IIHF), Luc Tardif.
Washington Capitals to the left Alex Ovechkin, #8, celebrates after scoring a goal beyond the Buffalo Sabers goalkeeper, James Reimer, #47, during the third period in Capital One Arena. (Images Amber Searls-Imagn)
“The recommendation of the Executive Board of March 2023 with respect to athlete teams with a Russian passport remains in place,” reads the statement, Via Reuters.
CLICK HERE for more sports coverage at Foxnews.com
“It is based on the fact that, by definition, a group of individual neutral athletes cannot be considered a team. We take note that the IIHF has confirmed that this recommendation will continue.”
Speaking on the last day of the IIHF World Championship during the weekend, Tardif was asked about the possibility that Russian athletes compete in the next winter games. He said that although a final decision had not been made, the belief was that the IOC would continue to maintain its prohibition.
The last NHL allowed players to compete at the Olympic Games in 2014. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Mary Lou Retton Olympic icon drove “throughout the road” before the alleged arrest in DUI, according to the police
“They recently asked us to send them a schedule without Russia, so that’s where we are,” said Tardif, through Thehockeynews.com. “The official statement is pending, but the IOC has told us that they are informing the Russian Olympic Committee that do not participate in the Olympic Games.”
The ban was implemented after the full military invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022, four days after Beijing winter games closed. A few selected athletes were able to compete in the Paris Olympic Games as neutral athletes after a research process.
He NHL He announced last year that players could compete in the 2026 and 2030 games for the first time since 2014, but Tuesday’s announcement closed the door to any Russian player who waits to compete, including the Washington Capital star, Alex Ovechkin.
Washington Capitals to the left Alex Ovechkin reacts during the first period of a NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, February 23, 2025 in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Nick Wass, Archive)
Earlier this month, the four skaters of Russian figures were approved for the qualification by the International Skating Union to compete as neutral athletes. Russian skaters were not approved to compete in couples and ice dance disciplines.
