Canada Bans Russian and Belarusian Athletes from World Juniors Amid Heightened International Boycott

Mark Carney, speaking in Antigua at the Commonwealth Summit, announced Tuesday that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be permitted to represent their countries in Canada as long as the war in Ukraine continues.

The men’s hockey World Juniors are in Alberta next month. Last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport had ruled a ban on Russian teams put in place by the International Ice Hockey Federation after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine had no merit. The IIHF had said national teams from Russia and co-belligerent Belarus were banned from international play because of “security concerns,” carefully avoiding language that called out the invasion itself. The court basically said those concerns were baseless, throwing the IIHF’s delicate balance into chaos.

The court’s decision, which potentially opened the door to Russia being included in World Juniors in Alberta, had been roundly criticized by hockey authorities and politicians the world over. A number of European national hockey federations had begun speaking out in the last few days about the ruling, and several major nations announced they would refuse to play against Russian teams if they were scheduled to do so in world championship play. Several major IIHF sponsors had also threatened to withdraw from partnerships if Russia were allowed to play in world championship games.

Hockey Canada, on the other hand, had treaded cautiously, criticizing the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling but not taking much position on facing Russia itself. Earlier on Tuesday, Hockey Canada had issued a new statement which essentially said they wanted to see what the IIHF and other actors might say. But after Carney’s comments, Hockey Canada has now aligned itself firmly behind the PM.

“Canada thanks the Government of Canada for today’s strong position that Canada intends to prevent Russian and Belarussian officials and athletes from participating under their national symbols in international sporting events taking place on Canadian soil,” the organization declared in a statement.

“We will be meeting with our board of directors this week to discuss next steps given the government’s clear position.”

The Finns announced on Monday evening that the national federation would use “all means to keep Russia out of the World Championships.” Then the Swedes: “The Swedish position is crystal clear. Sweden will not play ice hockey matches against Russia given the current situation.” Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha had called on the likes of Canada to follow Finland’s lead. “If the Court of Arbitration for Sport lacks a moral compass, let’s show that hockey still has values. Refuse to play against Russia and deny visas to its players.”

As of yet, the IIHF hasn’t said anything beyond an expression of disappointment about the court’s ruling. The choice by the IIHF was clearly to avoid demands for equivalent actions against other countries. Such a standard could then be applied to the U.S. and Israel for their current attacks against Iran.

It is with some irony that Israel’s national team was not promoted from division IIB of the World Championship table last spring despite finishing first, because the division IIA tournament never took place. It was due to be hosted in the United Arab Emirates last April. The tournament was called off because of actual security concerns.

Even if Hockey Canada had been waiting on instruction from the IIHF, there is little doubt that with just seven weeks to go until the World Juniors, any change in tournament requirements from the IIHF — such as adding Russia back in — would present massive logistical challenges. Hotel rooms are booked, tickets have been sold. Before Carney’s string rebuke of Russia itself, Ottawa has criticized the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling.

Following Carney’s comments, foreign minister Anita Anand, immigration minister Lena Metlege Diab, and Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden issued a joint statement condemning efforts to normalize the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams while their country’s military remained at war in Ukraine.

“This measure is not directed at the Russian and Belarusian people,” the ministers said. “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.”

“Canada’s position is unequivocal: As long as Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, there can be no return to business as usual. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine.”

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