Olympic Hockey Stars Reflect on Russia's Absence from Milan-Cortina Games
As excitement builds for the men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, hailed as a return to best-on-best competition with NHL players participating, a significant shadow looms over the event. Russia will not be competing in either the men's or women's hockey competitions, a direct consequence of the International Ice Hockey Federation's ongoing ban following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Political Reality Overshadows Sport
While the absence of Russian talent alters the competitive landscape, players from various nations are grappling with the complex intersection of sports and global politics. Latvian forward Kaspars Daugavins, who spent eight years playing in Russia, offered a poignant and unequivocal perspective on the situation.
"Are we happy, like sport-wise? No," Daugavins began. "But as a situation in the world, like, I think it's fair. Olympics has always been about the spirit of peace. They even stopped wars before to compete in Olympics. So if they are doing that in Ukraine, like, a lot of athletes are dying, and I think it's only fair. Hopefully, it stops and one day we see them back."
Daugavins, whose homeland shares a border with Russia and has a long history of dealing with Russian influence, added a personal note: "I know there's a lot of great people in the country. It's sad that, like, the politics are ruling over it, but you can't ignore it. We have to stay strong between other countries, you know, like, unite."
Other Players Express Mixed Reactions
Other Olympic hockey competitors approached the question with more caution, reflecting the delicate nature of the topic:
- Sweden's Mika Zibanejad paused extensively before responding: "I guess that's a conversation to be had in a different setting, honestly. Right now, I'm happy to be here."
- USA's Quinn Hughes maintained focus on the tournament itself: "I mean, they have some great players, obviously, but that's not up to me. And the reality is they're not here. So that's all that matters to me."
- Hughes' teammate Jaccob Slavin acknowledged the competitive impact: "I feel like it's kind of floated around out there, but like you can't have the best on best without them. And obviously they'd put a solid team on the ice. And so, yeah, I think there'd be a different feel of the tournament if they were here."
Historical Context and Current Realities
This marks a significant departure from recent Olympic history. Russian athletes participated in the 2022 Beijing Games as the Russian Olympic Committee and in the 2018 PyeongChang Games as Olympic Athletes from Russia, competing under modified banners due to previous sanctions. The 2026 exclusion represents the most comprehensive ban yet, coinciding with the ongoing war in Ukraine that continues to devastate the region.
As Ukrainian citizens endure brutal winter conditions with limited electricity and infrastructure under constant attack, the international sporting community faces difficult questions about participation and principles. The Olympic hockey tournament, while celebrating the return of elite competition, now serves as another arena where global conflicts manifest, forcing athletes to navigate the tension between sporting excellence and geopolitical realities.
