Former Russian Coach Criticizes IOC Over 2026 Olympics Ban

Russia remains banned from the Olympics through 2026 due to sanctions imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following Vladimir Putin's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Although some Russian athletes have been allowed to compete as neutrals in individual events, entire Russian teams, including hockey, are prohibited. Former Russian ice hockey coach Vladimir Plyushchev criticized the IOC and its member nations, derogatorily referring to them as "petty bisexuals," and expressed frustration over Russia's exclusion, suggesting the ban reflects a lack of common sense and political bias. The IOC reaffirmed its March 2023 recommendation that teams of Russian passport holders are not permitted, citing that individual neutral athletes do not constitute a team, a stance confirmed by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Plyushchev urged Russian sports officials to engage in diplomacy rather than await concessions, emphasizing that sport should be a form of diplomacy rather than a battleground. Despite rumors of potential negotiations for Russian team participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, the ban remains firmly in place amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.