Carney says Russia will not play at world juniors in Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russia will not be allowed to compete at the world junior hockey championship in Alberta, The Globe and Mail, CBC and TSN report. He spoke on Tuesday at the Commonwealth Summit. The IIHF said Wednesday it still opposes the ruling that reinstated Russia.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russian and Belarusian athletes will not compete for their countries in Canada, The Globe and Mail, CBC and TSN report. He said the ban holds while the war in Ukraine goes on. He spoke on Tuesday in Antigua at the Commonwealth Summit.
“So if you’re asking specifically about the world juniors, the Russians will not be there,” Carney said, CBC reports.
His comments came after a sports court ruled on Friday that Russia must be let back into world hockey, CBC and TSN report. The ruling starts with the world junior tournament.
Canada said it would use its immigration powers to keep the teams out, CBC reports. That covers athletes and officials who would compete under their national symbols. The Globe and Mail and TSN report that athletes competing as neutrals could still take part in events hosted by Canada.
The tournament begins December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, CBC reports.
On Wednesday, the International Ice Hockey Federation said it remains opposed to the ruling, CBC reports. It did not directly address Carney's remarks. It said it is talking to national associations, organizers and host authorities before deciding its next steps.
Several European teams have said they will refuse to face Russia, The Globe and Mail, CBC and TSN report. They include Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic and Latvia. Norway and Denmark have also said they will not play Russia, CBC reports. Norway's statement referred only to the men's world championship.
Russia's ambassador to Canada, Oleg Stepanov, called the decision regrettable, CBC and TSN report. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who had said the province would comply with the ruling, backed the federal stance, CBC reports.
Hockey Canada says it has been talking with the IIHF and others about the effect on the tournament, CBC reports.
What we know: Canada says Russian teams will not compete at the world juniors, and the IIHF opposes the ruling.
What we don't: How the IIHF will respond, and whether the tournament format will change.
Where outlets agree The Globe and Mail, CBC and TSN report that Carney said Russia will not take part in the world juniors in Canada.
Where they differ The Globe and Mail, CBC and TSN name Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic and Latvia as refusing to face Russia, while CBC adds Norway and Denmark.