NHL to once again send players back to Olympics in 2026, but will arena be ready?
Italian officials want to hold the hockey games at brand new 16,000-seat arena in Milan (which is co-hosting along with Cortina dโAmpezzo), but in whatโs become a theme of other construction efforts for the 2026 Games, the Italians are doing things at the last minute and better hope no delays occur.
IIHF pulls hockey worlds from Belarus, seeks new host
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, left, speaks with International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel during their meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. (Nikolai Petrov/BelTA Pool Photo via AP)ZURICH โ The hockey world championships were pulled from Belarus on Monday following pressure from opposition groups and a threatened boycott by sponsors. The IIHF said its council โdetermined that it is currently impossible to ensure the welfare of teams, spectators and officialsโ in Belarus. IIHF president Rene Fasel had tried to keep the men's tournament in Belarus, claiming it could build bridges between the opposition and Lukashenko. Denmark, the host in 2018, and Slovakia, the host in 2019, have both offered to step in.
Russia awaits ruling on Olympic ban for flag, anthem
The ruling on whether Russia can keep its name and flag for the Olympics will be announced on Thursday Dec. 17, 2020. The CAS process is formally between WADA and the Russian anti-doping agency. The Russian agency, known as Rusada, was ruled non-compliant one year ago. The International Ice Hockey Federation, which was a party to the hearing in Lausanne, could be forced to move the 2023 men's world championships from St. Petersburg. It requires Russians who pass doping scrutiny to compete at world championships as โAuthorized Neutral Athletesโ in non-red uniforms.
IIHF encouraged by NHL's potential return to Olympics in '22
FILE - This Aug. 23, 2019, file photo shows International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel watching the opening ceremony of the 2019 Sirius Junior Club World Cup ice hockey tournament in Sochi, Russia. Fasel is encouraged upon learning the NHLs tentatively agreed to labor deal opens the possibility of the league allowing its players to return to Olympic competition. The Olympics are a special event in itself, but having NHL players there, even as actual players, we love to see the best on best. Fasel, whose term as IIHF president was extended a year to September 2021, praised the NHL and players for addressing the Olympics in the CBA. Im happy that in the end they understand this is important for the development of ice hockey in the future.___AP Sports Writer Aaron Beard contributed from Raleigh, North Carolina.