MOSCOW — The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) will try to ensure Russia retains the right to host the 2023 world ice hockey championship, IIHF President Rene Fasel said on Thursday. Russia is banned for four years from hosting or bidding for major sporting events under a ruling announced by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Monday as punishment for having provided it with doctored laboratory data. The sanctions also bar Russians from competing under their country's flag at top international sporting events, including the next summer and winter Olympics. Asked if Russia could still host the 2023 IIHF World Championship in St. Petersburg, Fasel said: "Nothing is sure actually today, but we will work on that and do everything possible that we can to protect our interests and our federation."

Source: International New York Times December 12, 2019 08:48 UTC