MOSCOW, March 22. /TASS/. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) expects that the question of Russia’s participation in the 2026 Olympic Games will be resolved in April, a source close to the federation told TASS. "The IIHF currently has two contingency plans for the Olympic tournament - one including the Russian national team and one without it. The issue must be settled urgently, as not only the teams but also the fans remain in limbo - they need to know which matches to purchase tickets for and how to plan their trips," the source stated. "The IIHF is awaiting a decision in April, which will depend on the position of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)," the source emphasized. In early February, the IIHF Council extended its sanctions against Russian and Belarusian teams through the 2025-2026 season, with a stipulation that the decision could be reconsidered should the global political situation change. If Russia is not permitted to compete in the Olympic tournament, the French national team will take its place. The 2026 Olympic Games will be held in Italy on February 6-22. The IOC has so far maintained its recommendation to bar Russian athletes from team sports, even under neutral status. On Thursday, Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry was elected President of the IOC in the first round of voting. She will officially assume office on June 24, until which time the committee will continue to be led by Germany’s Thomas Bach.