Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly asserted that countries opposing the return of Russian athletes to global competitions are infringing upon their fundamental rights and undermining democratic institutions. His remarks follow declarations from several sports organizations across America and Europe, which have refused to compete against Russian athletes, particularly in upcoming international ice hockey events.
Sports bodies from Canada, Denmark, and Sweden, for instance, have firmly stated their refusal to compete against Russian ice hockey teams. Their resolute stance is primarily attributed to Russia’s ongoing large-scale military actions in Ukraine, as well as significant concerns over athlete safety amid the current tense political climate.
Speaking via video conference during a Russian government meeting, President Putin emphasized the full rights granted to Russian athletes to participate in international events. He specifically referenced decisions made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as supporting this position. He views these international rulings as crucial for upholding the Olympic Charter and the foundational principles of sports law.
Reflecting on the situation, the 73-year-old President critically noted: “Unfortunately, not all countries are fulfilling the obligations they once promised. They continue to employ illegitimate sanctions and exploit political restrictions within Russian sports. This clearly demonstrates a blatant violation of laws and an attack on democratic institutions.”
Just last week, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation lodged a formal complaint with the CAS, challenging the International Ice Hockey Federation’s ban on Russian teams from international competition for the 2026-27 season. Prior to this, several national ice hockey organizations, including those from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, and the Czech Republic, had already announced their intention not to compete against Russian teams.
Further highlighting the international opposition, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly stated that both Russia and Belarus, identified as allies, should be prohibited from participating in a world championship scheduled to be held in Alberta later this December. Additionally, Finland, which was considered a potential host nation for future events, threatened to withdraw its hosting rights if Russian teams were present in the competition.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) acknowledged on November 5th that there were differing opinions regarding its decision to allow Russia to re-enter international ice hockey competitions. However, CAS reaffirmed that its ruling was based solely on the evidence and arguments formally presented to it at the time.
