Olympics: IOC is calling on international federations to allow Russia and Belarus to qualify

[ViD]

The IOC is calling on international federations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions to qualify for the 2026 Olympics, SVT TV channel reports.

IOC urges international winter sports federations to allow Russian participation — report

This clearly indicates that IOC is leaning towards allowing Russians to participate and should grant them a spot in the hockey tournament.

The decision is expected to be made in March after the new IOC president is elected

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Italy, in the cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The event will take place from February 6-22, 2026.

"He [Tardif] explained that this issue was not in their [IIHF] purview. Meanwhile, the IOC will elect a new president in March and, I believe, after this election a decision will be made," the Russian ice hockey official added.

Seven candidates will be up for president of the IOC at the organization’s 144th session in Greece between March 18 and 21.

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[ReHabs]

About damn time. The double standard between holding civilians (Russians, Belarusians) responsible for perceived crimes of their nations and not other civilians (American, Chinese, British, Israeli, Saudi, Emirati, etc) was never going to resolve itself.

 

[Iceberg9]

hope not

 

[moropanov]

Maybe in invidual sports under neutral flag. Hopefully not team sports.

 

[hockey webcomics]

in what colour would russia play in 5 nations faceoff?

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Not that I'm against it, but the timing is interesting.

Now that the US is going down the road of supporting Russia against Ukraine, maybe the IOC are worried about having to try to apply their bans equally, or are in some way obliged to do whatever is in alignment with American policy.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Probably just individual athletes for now

Not that I'm against it, but the timing is interesting.

Now that the US is going down the road of supporting Russia against Ukraine, maybe the IOC are worried about having to try to apply their bans equally, or are in some way obliged to do whatever is in alignment with American policy.

The USA is taking the role of negotiating peace so the war can end. Not “supporting Russia against Ukraine”. You make it seem like the U.S. will be sending military aid to Russia to storm into Kiev.

 

[Mathieukferland]

USA vs Hockey players from Russia going go to hard in the group stage

 

[ReHabs]

Not that I'm against it, but the timing is interesting.

Now that the US is going down the road of supporting Russia against Ukraine, maybe the IOC are worried about having to try to apply their bans equally, or are in some way obliged to do whatever is in alignment with American policy.

I think the US and Russia are accepting to reengage diplomatically. It’s not the case that the US has suddenly WWE-style turned on Ukraine in the middle of the match.

Politics aside, I think your statement about alignment is correct. Everyone knows which way the wind is blowing. The sporting and cultural sanctions didn’t help and only hurt. The arguments were flimsy, they were discriminatory, and honestly we’re all worse off for it.

Let them play!

 

[Hanji]

Probably just individual athletes for now


The USA is taking the role of negotiating peace so the war can end. Not “supporting Russia against Ukraine”. You make it seem like the U.S. will be sending military aid to Russia to storm into Kiev.

"Negotiating peace" is a ruse. We're attempting to intimidate and strong arm Ukraine into a disadvantageous deal for our own benefit.

The IOC and IIHF likely foresee their blatant hypocrisy is gonna be exposed, if it hasn't already. They'll never ban us, so might as well allow Russian participation as to appear impartial.

 

[WarriorofTime]

"Negotiating peace" is a ruse. We're attempting to intimidate and strong arm Ukraine into a disadvantageous deal for our own benefit.

The IOC and IIHF likely foresee their blatant hypocrisy is gonna be exposed, if it hasn't already. They'll never ban us, so might as well allow Russian participation as to appear impartial.

Wrong. Peace negotiations will literally save Ukraine as a country while allowing USA to turn off the never ending money flow on a stalled war.

 

[KJoe88]

the USA shouldn’t be allowed considering they’re allowing a genocide to occur.

 

[MeHateHe]

I'll wait until this story exists outside of Tass to comment.

 

[Peiskos]

They should only be allowed to play under a neutral olympic flag.

 

[Peasy]

Wrong. Peace negotiations will literally save Ukraine as a country while allowing USA to turn off the never ending money flow on a stalled war.

Peace negotiations without including the party that has had their country be invaded for the past 3 years?

And these "peace negotiations" are coming from someone that has constantly stated they want to annex a sovereign country?

Weird use of that term.

 

[ViD]

I'll wait until this story exists outside of Tass to comment.

It’s reported by a Swedish tv channel first.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Peace negotiations without including the party that has had their country be invaded for the past 3 years?

Weird use of that term.

The U.S. is spending billions in Ukraine. After three years, it's time for a resolution. Ukraine does not have to accept any peace deal, but it is not the U.S.'s job to endlessly fund their war effort if they do not wish to negotiate. They will likely have a tougher time defending their territory if they are not willing to accept peace terms and some cessation of territory in the Donbas region.

The U.S. had an election, this was part of the agenda that was voted for.

 

[MeHateHe]

It’s reported by a Swedish tv channel first.

Ok. I did a google news search for this and came up with one Tass account.

 

[Tasty Biscuits]

Peace negotiations without including the party that has had their country be invaded for the past 3 years?

And these "peace negotiations" are coming from someone that has constantly stated they want to annex a sovereign country?

Weird use of that term.

He's out of his element.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Has war stopped?

Probably just individual athletes for now


The USA is taking the role of negotiating peace so the war can end. Not “supporting Russia against Ukraine”. You make it seem like the U.S. will be sending military aid to Russia to storm into Kiev.

Not that far off.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Has war stopped?

Likely a couple weeks away from a peace deal, unless negotiations stall for one reason or another.

 

[WPGDEVILS]

Probably just individual athletes for now


The USA is taking the role of negotiating peace so the war can end. Not “supporting Russia against Ukraine”. You make it seem like the U.S. will be sending military aid to Russia to storm into Kiev.

Ya I love negotiations between Russia and Ukraine when Ukraine isn’t even invited to negotiate their own peace terms.

Sounds very peaceful and fair

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think if they give everything another month or two the war will be over. And if that’s the case, there’s absolutely no argument to not have Russia back. Why’d the IIHF have to make such early decisions for next season? We could have greatly benefited from Russia’s presence at all the junior events.

 

[Peasy]

The U.S. is spending billions in Ukraine. After three years, it's time for a resolution. Ukraine does not have to accept any peace deal, but it is not the U.S.'s job to endlessly fund their war effort if they do not wish to negotiate. They will likely have a tougher time defending their territory if they are not willing to accept peace terms and some cessation of territory in the Donbas region.

The U.S. had an election, this was part of the agenda that was voted for.

And USA has been supporting and aiding Israel for much longer than that and that is not ending anytime soon

 

[ReHabs]

"Angry" reacts are even funnier when it's Olli's face.