Ovechkin called the possible exclusion of the Russian national team from the Olympics madness
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The captain of the National Hockey League (NHL) Washington Capitals, Alexander Ovechkin, expressed hope that Russian players will be allowed to participate in the Olympic Games. The Russian hockey player added that it is “not in their power” to change anything and he tries not to think about this situation.
“But Kucherov (Tampa forward Nikita Kucherov.— “Ъ”), may never compete at the Olympics. This is madness. But it is what it is. It’s not in our power (to change something.— “Ъ”), what can you do? We just follow the rules. It’s not fun, but it is what it is,” Ovechkin was quoted as saying. The Athletic.
In March 2022, following the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee recommended that athletes from Russia and Belarus be barred from international tournaments. By decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the national teams of Russia and Belarus missed the 2022 and 2023 world championships. They will also not compete at the 2024 world championships in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. In March last year, the IIHF extended restrictions for the Russian and Belarusian national teams to participate in international tournaments for the 2023/24 season.
NHL players will take part in at least the next two Winter Olympics – in Italy in 2026 and in France in 2030.
Details – in the material “Kommersant” “The NHL has returned to the Games”.
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