The 2020 World Championship should have started this Friday in Lausanne and Zurich. The coronavirus pandemic has put the whole project on the ground. Switzerland is now eyeing the side of 2023.
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In the corridors of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation (FSHG), there is always the hope of organizing a World Cup as soon as possible. An opportunity could emerge. Exactly five months ago, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided to exclude Russia from all major international events for four years due to state doping. Large organizations could not take place on Russian soil either.
The Russian national team would still have been allowed to compete in the World Championship in Switzerland. But could the International Federation (IIHF) benefit from the same generosity to organize a World Cup in St Petersburg in 2023 despite the prerequisite set by WADA?
The Russians have appealed the WADA decision; a decision is expected again this year.
It is still our goal to organize a World Championship in Switzerland in the coming years.
Patrick Bloch, the executive director of the Swiss Federation
Switzerland would jump at the chance in 2023. But the subject is politically delicate. “In principle, world tournaments are awarded until 2025. But it is still our goal to organize a World Championship in Switzerland in the coming years. We are going to have discussions with the IIHF in the coming weeks and discuss the possibilities for the FSHG. By the fall, we should be clearer on the subject, “said Patrick Bloch, executive director of the Swiss Federation.
For 2023, there would be a new logistics solution. The construction and opening of the new Zurich Lions compound in August 2022 would provide a good alternative to Hallenstadion, who still have problems in the hockey setup.
Gian Gilli, the director of the 2020 organizing committee, will he still be there in three years? The Grison would then approach retirement. “Who can know today what will happen in three years. But the 2020 World Cup is for me an unfinished adventure. It would be nice to be present in the future to finish it, “dreams the Engadin.
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