Canada joins coalition refusing to play ice hockey against Russia over Ukraine war

Canada has joined Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Latvia and the Czech Republic in refusing to play Russian ice hockey teams while Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. The move challenges Russia’s return to international competition after a sports court lifted a ban, and could affect upcoming tournaments.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russian and Belarusian athletes would not compete for their countries in Canada. The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the International Ice Hockey Federation’s ban on Friday, saying security concerns were not supported by sufficient evidence; the ban had been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The world junior championship is due to begin in Alberta on 26 December, leaving organisers and host cities to decide how to proceed.