Canada Bars Russian Hockey Players From World Junior Championship in Alberta
Ottawa invoked immigration powers to block entry, citing Ukraine support and political concerns, despite a recent court ruling.
By Alina Campbell ·
Canada’s government plans to use its immigration powers to keep Russian and Belarusian athletes out of the world junior hockey championship scheduled to open on December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the stance on Tuesday while attending the Commonwealth Summit in Antigua. He stated that the Russians would not be present at the event.
The federal government said the measure is designed to stop Moscow and Minsk from using Canadian sporting events as platforms for political legitimacy and propaganda. Athletes competing as neutrals may still enter the country.
The ban comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that Russia must be reinstated to international competition. That decision required Russia’s return starting with the world juniors.
Russian and Belarusian teams have faced bans since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The International Ice Hockey Federation reiterated its opposition to the court ruling on Wednesday. The federation cited logistical, security, and competitive challenges with an immediate return.
IIHF officials said the global impact of the ruling and the challenges it creates were significantly underestimated. They noted that visa requirements and potential changes to tournament formats complicate the situation. The federation said it is consulting national associations and host authorities before determining next steps.
Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s secretary of state for sport, dismissed fears that the ban would hurt Canada’s chances of hosting future international events, including the Olympics. He said the country has been unequivocal in its support for Ukraine.
Van Koeverden pointed to Moscow’s use of international sport to advance political interests. He argued that other countries, including the United States, are treated differently because Russia continually uses sport for what he called nefarious reasons.
Veteran sport lawyer Dick Pound said the international sport court has no authority to dictate which athletes Canada allows into the country. Pound, a longtime International Olympic Committee member, stated that the Canadian government has the final say on who enters.
He noted that Hockey Canada does not decide who gets entry visas. Pound said the organization cannot order the government to grant visas.
Russia’s ambassador to Canada, Oleg Stepanov, criticized the decision on Tuesday. He accused Ottawa of bringing politics into sports and said junior hockey should focus on athletic excellence and fair competition.
Stepanov suggested the decision would eliminate some of the strongest competition at the tournament. He called the move genuinely regrettable for young players and the sport itself.
