PUTIN ACCUSES COUNTRIES OF POLITICISING RUSSIA’S EXCLUSION FROM SPORTS
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By: Hammad Fasasi
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised countries opposing Russia’s return to international sporting competitions, following a decision by several European nations to boycott matches against the country at next year’s World Ice Hockey Championships over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Czech Republic on Tuesday joined Finland in declaring that they would not play against Russia at the 2027 World Championships scheduled to take place in Germany.
Russia has been excluded from International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) competitions since Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favour of allowing Russia to return to the World Championships.
Russia has faced widespread restrictions across international sporting competitions since 2022, although some of the measures have been relaxed in recent months, a development that has drawn criticism from Ukraine.
Putin commended the International Olympic Committee and CAS for what he described as decisions aimed at upholding the Olympic Charter and its principles.
“Unfortunately, however, not all countries are prepared to honour the commitments they once undertook, and restrictions on Russian sport — which are political rather than legal — continue,” Putin said during a televised government meeting.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Tuesday that Russia would not be permitted to participate in next month’s World Junior Hockey Championships.
The 2027 World Championships are scheduled to hold in Germany next May, although the tournament draw and fixtures have already been completed without Russia’s participation.
Putin, who has frequently been seen playing ice hockey during his lengthy presidency, has continued to push for Russia’s reinstatement in international sporting competitions.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and forced millions of people to flee their homes, making it Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
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