In Berlin, a government that will soon be asked to open its arenas to the world's best hockey has concluded that the sport cannot easily hold two rooms at once: the principle that athletes should not be shut out for the actions of their states, and the shared conscience of nations still at war with that same state. Following a Court of Arbitration ruling that Russia must be allowed back into international ice hockey, the German government has said plainly that Russian participation would make next May's World Championship practically impossible. Its hope is that dialogue with the federation an
Germany Still Hopes to Host Ice Hockey Worlds Despite Impasse Over Russia's Return
Russia's participation would make hosting "practically impossible"
Mark
Why is Germany's government involved in what looks like a sports federation dispute?
Mimi
Because the tournament is in Germany, and the government's visa rules decide whether a Russian team could even enter. Its spokesman called hosting practically impossible with Russia present.
Luke
Worth separating what's said from what's decided. The government says it's impossible, but no one has formally withdrawn Germany as host.
Mark
Right, the DEB chairman only said withdrawal might have to be considered.
Mimi
Yes, Frank Lutz conceded it as a possibility, nothing more.
Mark
And the boycotts?
Mimi
Finland, Sweden and Czechia have said they'd refuse to play Russia, and some sponsors have threatened to leave.
Luke
Those are stated intentions and threats. The reporting doesn't name the sponsors or show anyone has acted yet.
Mark
What about the visa question?
Mimi
The Interior Ministry's Martin Giese wouldn't answer categorically, but signaled it would be difficult under current restrictions.
Luke
That's a hedge, not a refusal. We don't know what Germany would actually do if forced.
Mark
And the IIHF Council?
Mimi
Three days of meetings, and by Friday still no evident consensus. Canada has already said Russia won't be at the World Juniors.
Il Polso
- A court ruling has forced Russia's return to international ice hockey, and the sport is divided over whether to accept it.
- Finland, Sweden and Czechia have vowed to refuse play against Russia, and sponsors are signaling they may leave.
- Germany's government calls Russian participation practically impossible and is searching for a diplomatic way to keep the May championship.
- Visa restrictions and Canada's refusal to admit Russian players at the World Juniors leave the path to resolution narrow and contested.
In Berlin, a government that will soon be asked to open its arenas to the world's best hockey has concluded that the sport cannot easily hold two rooms at once: the principle that athletes should not be shut out for the actions of their states, and the shared conscience of nations still at war with that same state. Following a Court of Arbitration ruling that Russia must be allowed back into international ice hockey, the German government has said plainly that Russian participation would make next May's World Championship practically impossible. Its hope is that dialogue with the federation and its partners can still find a path, though the sporting body itself has not yet agreed on what to do.
On Friday in Berlin, the German government's spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, told reporters that letting Russia back into international ice hockey would make it practically impossible to stage next May's men's World Championship in Germany. It was the government's clearest word yet on a dispute that has hung over the sport for a week without resolution.
The trigger came on October 30, when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the International Ice Hockey Federation must allow Russia to return to international play. Since then, Finland, Sweden and Czechia have said they will refuse to play Russia in any tournament where it competes, and several key sponsors have threatened to withdraw. Two events are now in question: the Men's World Juniors, opening in Alberta on December 26, and the World Championship in Gelsenkirchen, Mannheim and Düsseldorf in May.
Kornelius said the government still wants both tournaments held as scheduled, but acknowledged that boycotts would make that effectively impossible. Berlin intends to keep talking with the German Ice Hockey Federation, the IIHF and others. The German federation's chairman, Frank Lutz, has already conceded that Germany might have to consider withdrawing as host. Visas are another obstacle: an Interior Ministry spokesman said issuing them to a Russian team would be difficult, declaring that there can be no normalcy while Russia wages war on Ukraine.
Canada has been more definitive. Prime Minister Mark Carney has ruled out Russian participation at the World Juniors while Russia and Belarus support the war. President Putin has accused opponents of Russia's return of violating its athletes' rights. The IIHF Council met over three days without finding consensus, and by Friday its members had still not agreed. The Women's World Championship, which the ruling does not affect, has opened in Denmark. The Council's next move, and Berlin's talks, will determine whether the May tournament can be saved.
On Friday in Berlin, Stefan Kornelius, the German government's spokesman, told reporters that letting Russia back into international ice hockey would make it "practically impossible" to stage next May's men's World Championship in Germany, on sporting and economic grounds alike. It was the government's clearest statement yet on a problem that has hung over the sport for a week without resolution.
The trigger was a ruling on October 30 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which held that the International Ice Hockey Federation must allow Russia to return to international play. Since then, Finland, Sweden and Czechia, three of the sport's leading nations, have said they would refuse to play Russia in any tournament where it is permitted to compete. Several key sponsors have also threatened to withdraw if the Russians take part.
Two events stand to be affected. The first is the Men's World Juniors, which opens in Alberta, Canada, on December 26. The second is the IIHF's premier event, the Men's World Championship, which Germany is due to host in May in Gelsenkirchen, Mannheim and Düsseldorf.
Kornelius said the government's aim remains to hold the tournaments as scheduled, but acknowledged that the boycotts following a Russian readmission would make that effectively impossible. Berlin therefore intends to explore, through dialogue, how the tournament can still go ahead. He said talks with the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB), the IIHF and other parties would continue, and the government still hopes for a diplomatic solution.
The DEB has already acknowledged how serious the situation is. After the CAS ruling, its chairman, Frank Lutz, conceded that Germany might be forced to consider withdrawing as host.
Visas are another obstacle. Asked whether Germany could issue them to a Russian team, an Interior Ministry spokesman, Martin Giese, did not answer categorically but indicated that it would be difficult under the restrictions now in place. "At a time when Russia is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine, there can be no 'normalcy' — and we will certainly not pretend that there is," he said.
Canada has been blunter about the World Juniors. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney ruled out Russian participation. As long as Russia and Belarus support the war in Ukraine, he said, athletes from those countries will not compete for their nations in Canada. On the World Juniors specifically, he said, the Russians will not be there. President Vladimir Putin has also weighed in, accusing the countries that oppose Russia's return to international sport of violating the rights of Russian athletes.
The IIHF Council has not found a way through. It called two days of meetings, on Monday and Tuesday, to seek a consensus response to the CAS decision, then extended them to a third day on Thursday. By Friday its members evidently had still not agreed. Meanwhile the Women's World Championship, which the CAS decision does not affect, has opened in Denmark.
With the World Juniors on December 26 approaching, the IIHF Council's next move and Berlin's continuing talks will show whether the May tournament in Germany can be saved.
Citazioni salienti
Russia's participation would make hosting the World Championship practically impossible, from a sporting and an economic perspective.— Stefan Kornelius, German government spokesman
As long as that war is going on, the Russians will not be there at the World Juniors.— Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister (paraphrased)
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