Canada's Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Koeverden, confirmed the border restrictions target Russian and Belarusian competitors in response to the war against Ukraine. This action directly challenges a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that required the International Ice Hockey Federation to admit Russian teams across five tournaments. Van Koeverden clarified that while neutral status is occasionally allowed for individual competitors, it will not be granted to national team rosters. The tournament is slated to run in Alberta from December 26 to January 5 without the squad.
Key points
Canadian federal policy strictly prohibits Russian and Belarusian team participation due…: Canadian federal policy strictly prohibits Russian and Belarusian team participation due to the war in Ukraine.
Sovereign immigration controls can effectively nullify international sports tribunal ruli…: Sovereign immigration controls can effectively nullify international sports tribunal rulings ordering the inclusion of banned nations.
Neutral athlete exceptions granted in other sports will not be extended to Russian hockey…: Neutral athlete exceptions granted in other sports will not be extended to Russian hockey rosters.
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NEW YORK, Nov 11 : Canada will prevent Russian athletes and officials from entering the country for ice hockey's World Junior Championship in Alberta, the government said on Wednesday, effectively barring their participation weeks before the tournament begins.
In a statement provided to Reuters, Canada's Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden said the government opposed Russian and Belarusian participation in international sport "as long as Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine with Belarus’s complicity."
"The IRCC Minister (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship) will take measures to individually assess and prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada to compete, regardless of whether they already hold valid visas," said Van Koeverden.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Hockey Canada said it had nothing to add to an earlier statement supporting the government's position.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ordered the IIHF late last month to admit Russian teams to five upcoming championships, beginning with the World Junior Championship.
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