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Canada will not let Russians compete at ice hockey tournament, says Carney
Canada will bar Russian and Belarusian skaters from the world junior ice hockey championships in Alberta, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. He linked the decision to the countries’ support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, extending Canada’s opposition to their participation in international hockey.
The tournament is scheduled to run from late December to early January. Canada had condemned a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport decision allowing Russians to compete in International Ice Hockey Federation events; separately, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Czech Republic said they would refuse to play Russia at next year’s men’s world championship in Germany.
In short
- Canada will exclude Russian and Belarusian skaters from the world juniors.
- The Alberta tournament runs from late December to early January.
- Four European federations also oppose playing Russia next year.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that barring Russian and Belarusian teams is a proportionate way to avoid giving states that support the war in Ukraine an international platform, and to express solidarity with Ukrainians. They may also see the policy as a legitimate response to the countries’ conduct, especially if participation would be treated as ordinary sporting representation.
The case against
Opponents argue that athletes should not be excluded from competition solely because of their governments’ actions, particularly when individual competitors may not support the war or control state policy. They may favour neutral participation under clear safeguards, preserving sport’s openness and avoiding a precedent in which political disputes determine who can compete.
Explained simply
The world junior ice hockey championships are an international tournament for national under-20 teams, organised by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Russia and Belarus have faced restrictions on taking part in international sport since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with debates over whether and when their athletes can return.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport hears disputes in sport, while the International Ice Hockey Federation sets rules for its competitions. Governments and sports bodies have taken different approaches to participation, making the issue a point of disagreement across international hockey.