Russian hockey fans will likely see their national team again at major world tournaments.
Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, the main authority for disputes in world sports, отмениР» All five decisions by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) that barred Russian teams from its tournaments were announced today. The Russian Minister of Sport Mikhail Degtyarev has already stated that the decision is final and not subject to appeal. The IIHF, for its part, stated that it is disappointed with the decision but will abide by it.
Which tournaments were affected by the IIHF decision?
The resolution concerns five tournaments in 2027: the Men's and Women's World Championships, the World Youth Championships, and the World Youth Championships for girls and boys under 18.
For Russian fans, this is a chance to see their national teams again at major world tournaments. From February 28, 2022, when the IIHF pushed aside Teams of Russia and Belarus "until further notice", the Russians missed five World Championships in a row and 2026 Olympics. The next competition they can play in is the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Canada. In August, the student team was allowed to participate in the Universiade in China (January 15–27, 2027, under a neutral flag).
The IIHF called the suspension not a sanction but a "security policy" and extended it several times, most recently on July 30. At the end of August, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration in Lausanne.
Admission of Russian athletes to other sports
On counting Sports.ru, Russian athletes are already fully allowed to carry the flag and anthem 17 international federations, These include water sports, judo, wrestling, gymnastics, fencing, volleyball, handball and basketball.
The publication attributes this to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee. Restrictions remain in biathlon and track and field: their federations refused to follow the IOC's recommendations.
