Next year’s world ice hockey tournament may look different. On Tuesday, Sweden and Norway joined Finland in refusing to play Russia in the event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The protesting nations have confirmed they would still join the tournament; they just wouldn’t hit the ice against Russia.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled last week that the IIHF must reinstate the Russian team, which had been barred from international competition since 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.
People were interested in these podcasts
The boycott has grown since Russia’s reinstatement. Sweden, Norway, Latvia and Denmark have all voiced displeasure with Russia’s participation.
“Our position is that Russia should be excluded from all international championships as long as the war in Ukraine continues and remains unchanged,” the Norwegian Ice Hockey Association said in a statement.
It added, “We believe that playing Russia under the current circumstances could expose our players and team staff to significant security risks. Our priority is therefore their mental health, well-being and personal safety.”
Austria is weighing plans to join the boycott, while Germany is reevaluating plans to host the world championship.
“We stand behind the decision of Finland and Norway and are currently looking into whether the European nations will join a boycott together,” the Austrian federation said in a statement. “We are therefore not ruling out a boycott and are still coordinating with the authorities on this.”
Sponsors Nokian Tyres and AJ Products both noted that they would consider ending or limiting their support of the event if Russia plays.
At least one politician is in favor of Russia’s return to the world ice hockey stage: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
“I’ve also always wondered what the value of a gold medal is, if on the way to it you don’t have to beat the Russian hockey players, who are undoubtedly among the best in the world,” he said Saturday on social media.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.