Kozhevnikov called unlikely admission of Russians after the election of the head of IIHF

The election of German Franz Reindl as president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will not affect the imminent return of Russian athletes to international tournaments. About this "RBC Sport" said two-time Olympic champion Alexander Kozhevnikov.

71-year-old Reindl on October 2 replaced as head of IIHF Frenchman Luke Tardiff, who headed the organization since 2021. He was the first German to hold the post since 1975.

“I think it will be the same. Let's be honest, they don't run anything. Just as the world is run by closed-minded billionaires, the same is true here. The government said we should do it. I don't think we're allowed in now. The odds are small, but we have to watch. Do not forget, he alone does not solve anything, said Kozhevnikov.

According to Kozhevnikov, if Reindl had a positive attitude towards Russian hockey players, he would not have been elected as the new president of the IIHF.

Although he may be normal with Russian hockey players, which is unlikely. But he would not have been recommended for the post of head if he had treated ours well. Just logic. I think it'll stay the same. But who knows, maybe he is a revolutionary and will turn everything around, he said.

Reindl participated in the Olympic Games three times and in the World Championships eight times. As part of the German national team, he sensationally won the bronze of the 1976 Olympic Games.

After his playing career, Reindl held a number of management positions: from coach and general manager of the national team to the organizer of three world championships in Germany.

From 2014 to 2022, he led the German Ice Hockey Federation. Since 2016, Reindl has been a member of the IIHF Council, chairing various committees. Five years ago, he had already claimed the post of president of the IIHF, but then lost to Tardiff.