A sports court has ordered ice hockey to let Russia back in, but Canada says no Russian team will play at the world juniors it hosts. Right call, or politics in sport?
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in late October that the IIHF must reinstate Russia, banned since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Six federations, including Sweden and Finland, say they won't play Russia while the war goes on, and some sponsors have threatened to pull out. The world juniors start on 26 December in Alberta.
What happened
Russia's national ice hockey teams have been banned since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In late October the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) must reinstate them, starting with the world junior championship, which opens on 26 December in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. Canadian PM Mark Carney then said no Russian or Belarusian athletes would compete for their countries in Canada. Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Norway, Latvia and Denmark say they will not play Russia, and sponsors including Nokian Tyres have threatened to pull out.
Why people disagree
Supporters of Canada's stand say a country waging war on its neighbour should not get the platform of international sport, and that a host nation decides who enters. Russia's ambassador to Canada said the move brings politics into sport. Others argue an independent court has ruled, that young players did not start the war, and that ignoring the ruling undermines the rules every sport depends on.
What's still unclear
The IIHF disagrees with the ruling and is "exploring all available avenues". On 7 November it kept Belarus out of its 2027 championships but has not settled Russia's place. It is unclear whether boycotts will mean forfeits, or whether Russians could still play as neutral athletes.
Sources
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