Canada bars Russian team from 2027 world juniors

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russian players will not compete for Russia at the 2027 world junior hockey championship in Alberta, setting up a conflict between Canada’s entry policy and a Court of Arbitration for Sport order requiring Russia’s reinstatement to international competition. Carney announced the position on November 3. The federal government said it would use immigration powers to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada to compete under their national symbols. Athletes competing as neutrals may still be allowed to enter, and officials said the restrictions do not target Russian or Belarusian people. Events receiving federal funding must also exclude athletes competing under those countries’ national symbols. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on October 30 that Russia must be reinstated to International Ice Hockey Federation championships, affecting five tournaments in 2027, including the world juniors. The IIHF had excluded Russian teams from four 2027 competitions, citing safety, security and sporting-integrity concerns. The court’s ruling followed an appeal by Russia’s hockey federation. The IIHF said it opposes the...