The Canadian government will not allow Russian ice hockey players to take part in the World Junior Championship, including those who already hold valid visas. This was announced on 11 November by Hockey Canada and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), according to TSN.
The Canadian authorities have stated that they will not issue visas to Russians to take part in the competition. Furthermore, players who already play for clubs in Canada and hold visas will also be barred from taking to the ice in the tournament.
Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Adam van Kooverden, explained on 9 November that ‘neutral athlete’ status may apply to individual athletes, but not to teams.
His comments followed a statement by the Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation on 8 November. According to the IIHF, Russia is set to be included in the World Championship line-up in place of Norway. The Norwegian junior team earned the right to compete in the elite division after playing in the division below it the previous year.
“The situation regarding Norway is developing very rapidly,” said van Kooeverden. “I have held talks with the sports ministers of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Germany. This week, I hope to meet with the Czech sports minister and other representatives to discuss this rapidly changing situation.”
According to van Kooeverden, the IIHF’s previous position was in line with that of Canada. He added that the government would continue to do everything possible to ensure that top-level ice hockey – both Canadian and international – could be enjoyed in the country.
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“The Russians won’t be there” – Canadian Prime Minister Karni on the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship
The World Junior Ice Hockey Championship for players aged 20 and under is set to begin on 26 December in the Canadian cities of Red Deer and Edmonton. The tournament is attracting attention not only from sports commentators but also from people with little interest in sport: the reason is Russia’s possible return to the international stage. This move has been approved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, but is opposed by the IIHF and the Canadian government.
The original version of this article first appeared on Glob-News.com.