Canada will bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in next month’s junior ice hockey championship in Alberta while the war in Ukraine continues, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. The tournament is scheduled to begin on December 26.
“While Russia and Belarus support this illegal, unjustified and horrible war in Ukraine, none of their athletes will compete in Canada,” Carney said, according to CTV News. He added that Russian athletes would not take part in the junior world championship.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the federal government said it could use its immigration powers to prevent athletes from the banned countries from entering Canada. It said the measure is intended to stop Russia and Belarus from using international sporting events in Canada to promote state representation, political legitimacy and propaganda.
Entry applications will be assessed individually. Athletes competing as neutrals may still participate in events hosted by Canada.
Carney’s remarks followed a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, announced Friday, that Russia should return to international hockey tournaments. Russian athletes had been banned from competing for their country after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic and Latvia are among the European teams that have also said they will not play against Russia.
Sources: Observador.