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Putin accuses hockey organizations of ‘gross violation’ as Canada bars Russia from World Juniors
Vladimir Putin accused hockey bodies of breaking legal commitments after Hockey Canada and the Canadian government said Russian athletes would be barred from next month’s World Junior Championships in Alberta. The dispute follows a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that lifted the international ban on Russian teams, raising questions about how that decision will be applied.
The International Ice Hockey Federation had excluded Russian teams from its competitions, but the court’s Friday ruling cleared them to enter upcoming men’s and women’s world championships. Canada says Russian and Belarusian athletes will not compete there under their national symbols, while Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Norway, Latvia and Denmark have backed boycotting games against Russia while the war in Ukraine continues. Russia last played at the World Juniors in 2021 and last won gold in 2011.
In short
- Putin calls Russia’s exclusion unlawful and politicised.
- Canada says Russian athletes will miss next month’s World Juniors.
- Several European teams have pledged to boycott games against Russia.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those opposing Russia’s participation can argue that sporting events confer legitimacy and visibility, and that allowing Russian teams to compete during the war in Ukraine would disregard its human cost. Canada and other countries may also see refusing games or national symbols as a principled response, while retaining discretion over events they host.
The case against
Those favouring Russia’s return can argue that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has lifted the international ban, so excluding Russian athletes from competitions risks undermining agreed sporting rules and due process. They may also contend that athletes should not be collectively punished for their government’s actions, and that sport should remain open unless a clear, consistently applied rule requires exclusion.