FIB Opens Door to Talks on Reinstating Russian Juniors as FHMR Joins Congress Remotely

Overview

• New leaders of the Russian Bandy Federation could not travel to Finland due to visa issues and took part in the January 17 FIB congress by videoconference from the Russian Olympic Committee.
• FHMR representatives said they would inform the international body of their readiness to cooperate during the remote participation.
• The FIB executive committee meeting in Pori on January 16 stated it is open to constructive dialogue on the participation of young athletes from Russia and Belarus in future events.
• Any pathway for juniors follows the IOC’s December 11 recommendation allowing youth teams from Russia and Belarus to compete with flags and anthems.
• Russian teams remain suspended from FIB competitions since 2022, as broader decisions on adult participation have not changed, while newly elected FHMR president Oleg Deripaska has tasked a push to return to international play.