Baltic Federation in Canada condemns the CAS decision to reinstate the Russian Ice Hockey Federation

The Baltic Federation in Canada, representing the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian diaspora communities in Canada, vehemently protests the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Friday, October 30 allowing Russia back into international hockey. This insidious ruling overturned the ban imposed by The International Ice Hockey Federation following Russia’s illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

This ruling is amoral and contradicts every standard of international sport which promotes fair play, decency and respect. It taints the upcoming World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Alberta and makes a mockery of the values such international competitions demand of the world’s youth.

The judgement of this Court is a betrayal of the brave Ukrainians who have fought valiantly to maintain their country’s independence and an insult to the thousands of Ukrainians who have died in the defence of their country. Furthermore, that Russia be allowed to participate in this competition in Alberta – home of one of the largest Ukrainian diaspora communities in the world – is a particular thrust to the heart of an immigrant heritage community that has done so much to build Canada.

The Baltic Federation of Canada supports the Government of Canada in expressing its outrage over this amoral decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and we commit our support for all efforts to overturn this ruling and replace the unwanted Russian team with a team from Ukraine.