St. John’s (Antigua and Barbuda) (AFP) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed Tuesday that Russians would not compete at next month’s World Junior Hockey Championships despite being reinstated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, are set to host the tournament of future NHL stars from December 26, 2026, to January 5, 2027.
Speaking to reporters at a Commonwealth summit in Antigua, Carney made his position clear that Russia’s war in Ukraine and support from Belarus will keep those nations on the sidelines. “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,” Carney said. “So if you’re asking specifically about the World Juniors, the Russians will not be there.”
Related news
Russian talent has been banned from global competition by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, after being a major world power in the sport for decades. But Russia was reinstated by CAS to ice hockey world championships on Friday. Since that decision, rivals Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Czechs have said they will not play against Russia at the next world championships.
A field of 10 nations is already set to compete in Canada, including the Canadians, United States, defending champion Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Norway, Czechia, and Switzerland. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab also said in a government statement that Canada’s opposition to Russia participating in global sporting events would continue.
“Canada’s position has not changed because Russia’s actions have not changed,” the statement said. “Canada remains committed to ensuring that sport is not used to confer legitimacy, prestige or international standing on such states.” Diab will “exercise her authorities (to) prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada.” Canada will also continue to require that events receiving Government of Canada funding prohibit the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national symbols.
© 2024 AFP
