IOC Upholds Russian Teams Ban for 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that Russian and Belarusian teams, including the prominent men's ice hockey team, will remain banned from participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina due to sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This decision follows the March 2023 IOC recommendation, which states that groups of Individual Neutral Athletes cannot be considered teams, and has been reaffirmed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). While a small number of Russian and Belarusian athletes may compete as neutrals without national symbols, this will not extend to team sports. The IOC's position is reinforced by the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee for annexing regional sports organizations from Ukrainian territory, which violates the Olympic Charter. Despite recent talks between Russian officials and the IIHF, the policy remains unchanged, maintaining Russia's exclusion from all IIHF events as well. Russian teams had previously achieved gold and silver at recent Winter Olympics, but their absence will continue as the NHL returns to Olympic play.