Canada bars Russian players from world junior hockey championship despite visas

Canada will bar Russian hockey players from competing at the world junior championship in Alberta next month, even if they hold valid Canadian visas, the federal government announced Wednesday. The decision blocks Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada for the tournament. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will individually assess and prevent Russian and Belarusian participants from entering, according to a statement from Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden. The move affects players with valid visas currently in the Canadian Hockey League, and follows a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that the IIHF must reinstate Russia. The decision closes the door on Russia's return after the IIHF reportedly planned to add the country at Norway's expense. Several nations, including Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Norway, have said they will refuse to play against Russians. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated last week that Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot compete in Canada while the war in Ukraine continues.