In brief
At a press conference in Antigua, Chief Minister Mark Carney declared that Russian and Belarusian athletes would not be permitted to compete in the upcoming world junior ice‑hockey championships in Alberta. The decision directly contradicts a recent Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that had provisionally allowed Russian participation. Several European national federations joined Canada in pledging to refuse to play Russia in future competitions.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Tuesday that Russia and Belarus would be barred from the world junior ice‑hockey championships scheduled to begin in Alberta next month. Carney said the move was driven by Canada’s support for Ukraine and its condemnation of the war.
Canada’s position contradicts a prior decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which had ruled that Russian skaters could compete in International Ice Hockey Federation events. Carney rejected that ruling, describing the conflict in Ukraine as “illegal, unjustified, horrific war.”
In a televised press conference at the end of the Commonwealth Summit in Antigua, Carney added that the ban applied specifically to the world junior tournament, noting, "...the Russians will not be there," he said.
"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," he told reporters.
Carney also mentioned that it was unlikely the restrictions would extend to other Canadian events; he said he would confirm any changes “if anything.”
European national federations in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and the Czech Republic have already announced that they will refuse to play Russia in next year’s men’s Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany, echoing Canada’s stance.
The world junior championships are set to run from late December to early January, with Canada hosting the teams from East‑Anglia, Canada, and other participating nations. Canada has said it will enforce a tough stance against countries supporting the ongoing conflict.
