Canada bars Russian and Belarusian athletes from World Junior hockey as war in Ukraine continues

Prime Minister Mark Carney told the Commonwealth Summit in Antigua that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be allowed to represent their countries in Canada as long as the war in Ukraine continues. The statement comes ahead of the men’s World Junior hockey tournament scheduled for next month in Alberta.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport recently ruled that a ban imposed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) on Russian teams after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine lacked merit. The decision opened the possibility of Russia’s participation, prompting criticism from several European hockey federations. Finland, Sweden, Czechia, Norway, Denmark, Latvia and Ukraine announced they would refuse to play against Russian teams under current conditions.

Hockey Canada, which had previously taken a cautious stance, issued a statement after Carney’s remarks, thanking the government for its “strong position” and indicating that its board would discuss next steps.

"Hockey Canada thanks the Government of Canada for today’s strong position that Canada intends to prevent Russian and Belarusian officials and athletes from participating under their national symbols in international sporting events taking place on Canadian soil," the organization said.

"This measure is not directed at the Russian and Belarusian people. Rather, it is intended to prevent the governments of Russia and Belarus from using international sporting events hosted in Canada as platforms for state representation, political legitimacy and propaganda. Individual athletes competing in a neutral capacity will continue to be able to participate in international sport events hosted by Canada," foreign affairs, immigration and sport ministers said in a joint statement.

The IIHF has expressed disappointment with the arbitration ruling but has not announced any change to the tournament lineup. With only weeks before the event, logistical arrangements such as venue bookings and ticket sales are already in place.

The Canadian government’s stance aligns with statements from other nations calling for a boycott of Russian participation until the conflict ends.