IIHF supports participation of clean Russian athletes in 2018 Olympics

With the International Olympic Committee set to rule on the participation of Russian athletes in the 2018 Winter Games, amid widespread doping, the International Ice Hockey Federation Council voiced its full support for allowing all clean athletes from that nation to play.

From IIHF President René Fasel:

The IIHF Council has reached a unanimous opinion that all clean athletes, including those from Russia, must be permitted to represent their country in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang.

We oppose the use of collective punishment in the case of Russian athletes. Although we recognize the need to confront doping in sport, Olympic participation should not be used to sanction the many for the actions of the few. In addition, the extent to which the IOC is seeking punitive measures in the case of Russia is putting the health of ice hockey at risk.

The full statement can be read here.

A decision on whether to ban all Russian atheletes will be made by the IOC next week.