The 181 confirmed that neck guards will be mandatory for ice hockey players at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. This decision, following recommendations from its Medical Committee, applies to all IIHF competitions. The rule, initially announced in 2023, aims to prevent serious injuries. The National Hockey League will mandate guards for new players from the 2026-27 season.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has launched a confidential reporting channel to enhance sports integrity and safety, allowing anonymous reporting of misconduct such as corruption, harassment, doping, and match manipulation. Reports are managed by an external platform and independent experts before reaching the ITTF Integrity Unit, ensuring impartiality and whistleblower protection. This initiative aligns ITTF with other federations like FIFA, World Athletics, World Rugby, IIHF and the IOC, who have seen success with similar systems, though challenges remain in transparency and follow-up.

The NHL and NHLPA have ratified a four-year CBA extension through the 2029-30 season, increasing the regular season to 84 games and reducing maximum player contract lengths. The NHL, NHLPA, IIHF, and IOC also finalized an agreement for NHL player participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, marking their first appearance since 2014. The men's ice hockey tournament is scheduled for February 11-22, 2026.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) discussed Russia's participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics. While some reports indicated a ban, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation stated that the IIHF, Russian Olympic Committee, and RHF will meet to discuss the matter further, with a final decision pending. The IIHF had extended sanctions against Russian and Belarusian teams until the 2025–26 season due to geopolitical concerns, but the IOC could overturn this decision, potentially allowing Russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, similar to the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

The IIHF is awaiting the IOC's decision regarding the participation of Russian ice hockey teams in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite earlier expectations of an IIHF decision, IIHF President Luc Tardif clarified that the IOC will determine Russia's eligibility. The decision is crucial for logistical planning, including ticket sales. While IIHF sanctions against Russia and Belarus extend through the 2025-2026 season, the IOC's stance will ultimately decide Russia's participation in the 2026 Games.