Canada Bars Russian and Belarusian Players from World Junior Ice Hockey Championships

Canada has ruled out the participation of Russian and Belarusian ice hockey players in next month's World Junior Championships, despite a recent legal decision overturning Russia's suspension from international competitions.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said athletes from both countries would not be allowed to compete in Canada while Russia's war against Ukraine continues.

"While Russia and Belarus are supporting this illegal, unjustified, horrific war in Ukraine, as long as that's going on, there will be none of those athletes competing for their countries in Canada," Carney said.

CAS Overturns Russia's Suspension

Russia had been suspended from International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) competitions since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last week overturned the ban, opening the possibility of Russian teams returning to international competitions.

The IIHF has maintained its disagreement with the ruling, saying the wider implications of the decision for upcoming tournaments were underestimated.

In a statement, the governing body said it would closely monitor the situation and assess its implications for future events.

Carney Rules Out Russian Participation

Carney specifically confirmed that Russian players would not participate in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, scheduled to take place from December 26 to January 5.

Russia's ambassador to Canada, Oleg Stepanov, criticised the decision, describing it as regrettable that political considerations were being brought into junior hockey, which he said was intended to unite people.

Ukraine's ice hockey federation also expressed deep outrage over the possibility of Russia returning to international competitions.

European Federations Also Oppose Russia's Return

Canada's position follows similar announcements by national ice hockey federations in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Czech Republic.

The four countries said on Tuesday they would refuse to play against Russia at next year's men's Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany.

The developments highlight continuing divisions within international ice hockey over Russia's participation in competitions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

BBC News