Vladimir Putin on 6 November accused countries resisting Russia’s return to international competition of violating court rulings and “the very institutions of democracy.” Speaking by video link to a government meeting, the Russian president said decisions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the International Olympic Committee and international federations were upholding the Olympic Charter, according to Reuters.
His intervention followed a CAS ruling on 30 October that ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to let Russia back in. A three-person panel found that the IIHF’s safety and security arguments lacked sufficient evidence, overturning exclusions in place since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Seven European federations refuse
Seven European hockey federations have said they will not play Russia if the reinstatement stands:
- Finland
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
- Czechia
- Latvia
- Austria
Alexander Helwig, director of the Austrian Ice Hockey Association, set out his federation’s position to Bluewin.
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“As long as the war is ongoing, we categorically oppose Russia’s participation in international ice hockey tournaments.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said no Russian or Belarusian athletes will compete on Canadian soil while the war continues. Germany, which hosts the 2027 men’s world championship in May, has warned of “serious consequences” for security, politics and finances if Russia is on the ice.
The IIHF buys time and keeps Belarus out
The IIHF said on 7 November that it respects the CAS ruling but is still “exploring all available avenues” on Russia, and will open talks with the Russian federation. In the same statement, the IIHF confirmed that Belarus will not take part in the 2027 World Junior Championship or the 2027 World Championship, citing competition schedules and operational planning.
Russia’s earliest possible return is the men’s world juniors in Edmonton and Red Deer, Canada, which opens on 26 December, the very event Carney has said will not go ahead with Russian players present.
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The federations that reopened in 2026
Ice hockey is only the latest sport to pivot. Over the course of 2026, World Aquatics lifted its ban on senior Russian and Belarusian swimmers on 13 April, the International Gymnastics Federation followed on 18 May, the International Fencing Federation reinstated Russian fencers on 2 June, and the International Weightlifting Federation did the same on 26 June, according to the Moscow Times. The International Judo Federation had opened its doors a few months earlier, in late November 2025.
The International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee on 7 July, nearly three years after suspending the body for recognising regional Olympic councils in occupied Ukrainian territories. The IOC has not yet ruled on whether Russia can compete under its own flag or anthem at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
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