Russia has been banned from the Olympics and international hockey tournaments for years, depriving fans of some thrilling matchups. With the 2026 Winter Olympics only 18 months away, the IIHF is set to decide on Russia and Belarus's participation next May, which will determine the fate of Russian hockey before the NHL's return to the Olympics.
Veteran Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin has spoken about the ban, expressing his desire to compete for Olympic gold but acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
With the ongoing war, it's unclear when Russian teams will be allowed back into competition. At 38 years old, this may be Ovechkin's last chance to win a prestigious gold medal. Although there's still time for things to change, it doesn't look promising, as all signs point to the ban continuing, meaning Ovechkin and other Russian NHL stars may miss out on this major event again.
Source: SportsKeedaAlex Ovechkin addresses uncertainty surrounding Russia's participation in future Olympics
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29 JUILLET | 407 ANSWERS Alex Ovechkin sounds off after getting banned from the Olympics Will Russia be cleared to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics? | ||
Yes | 56 | 13.8 % |
No | 351 | 86.2 % |
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