China’s Olympic Hockey Participation Once Again Under Question

The saga of China’s participation at the Olympic Hockey Tournament is once again under question. Although during the semi-annual congress the previous leadership of Rene Fasel decided to allow the host country to participate in the men’s tournament – the new president and his team will once again review the decision.

The Chinese national team hasn’t played a single game since 2019 and currently holds 32nd position in the IIHF ranking.

‘’The Chinese national team will have exhibition games that will be overseen by an IIHF representative and after that, a decision will be made. To see them lose 0:15 isn’t any good for China or hockey in general,’’ newly elected president Luc Tardif said.

The decision would be made towards the end of October. If allowed to play, China would suit up and play in Group A against Canada, the USA, and Germany.

‘’If China won’t play we need a plan B which will be taken care of using the IIHF ranking,’’ Tardif started letting people understand that it’s likely that team Norway would replace the host side at the men’s tournament.

The group stage will be played between February 9th – 13th. The playoff games will begin on February 15th and the day after quarter-finals will be played. Semi-finals will be held on the 18th of February and a day later the bronze game will take place. The Olympic championship will be decided on February 20th.

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There are 12 national teams taking part in the ice hockey tournament divided into three groups with four teams in each. The best four will instantly make it through to the quarter-finals while eight others will battle it out in the first round of the play-off tournament.

Olympic groups:

Group A – Canada, USA, Germany, China(TBD)
Group B – Russian Olympic Committee, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Denmark
Group C – Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia