On a request from the International Olympic Committee, the International Ice Hockey Federation has drawn up a game schedule for the Olympic Games in February.
Russia is not included in the schedule.
We have pressed the IOC to get a game schedule, among other things, so that the organizer can start selling tickets, says Tardif.
The IOC changed its president a while ago when Kirsty Coventry replaced Thomas Bach. That has made the decision take longer than expected.
But according to Tardif, the IOC has decided that the same rules that applied in Paris 2024 will apply in Milan next year, that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete under a neutral flag, but not as teams.
The IOC has not officially presented the decision.
We will have a meeting next week with all participating nations about what applies, says Tardif.
Russia and Belarus have not been allowed to participate in the International Ice Hockey Federation's competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Next year's World Championship will also be without Russian participation, following a decision made by the IIHF earlier this year.
Now, the IOC is also following that line for the Olympic tournament.
Larsson, the chairman of the Swedish Ice Hockey Association, is pleased with the message.
The Swedish line is unchanged and it is and has been that in the current situation, it is unthinkable for us that Russia is included, says Larsson, who also sits on the IIHF's board.
