Vladimir Putin pulls out of ice hockey game as health rumors grow

Vladimir Putin created an ice hockey game where he plays alongside former NHL stars in 2011 that has become an annual fixture in the Russian calendar until this year Vladimir Putin's health was speculated after another engagement was canceled (

Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Vladimir Putin has pulled out of an ice hockey game appearance as growing concerns over his health continue to escalate.

Putin hosted an exhibition ice hockey game where he plays alongside former NHL stars in 2011, which has become an annual fixture on the Russian calendar. However, his decision to withdraw from the match raised concerns for his health due to his passion for the sport.

The 70-year-old Russian president wondered if he was healthy enough to keep his job at the helm, as he called off his second major engagement in days.

Putin playing in the ice hockey match of the exhibition in 2017 (

Picture:

Getty Images)

On Monday, it was announced that Putin would not attend the annual live press conference in Moscow.

In announcing the cancellation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "As for the big press conference - yes, there won't be one before New Year's. We expect however until the president finds a way to communicate… with the Kremlin swimming pool."

Peskov also indicated that a press conference could be held on New Year's, but gave no specific date or format. He did not give a date for Putin to address the Senate, which is an official annual duty under the constitution.