CAS Decision Rules out Russia as Minsk Replacement

(ATR) The 2023 Ice Hockey World Championship remains on track for St. Petersburg. However, any chance of the 2021 edition being relocated from Minsk to Moscow has been quelled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport decision on Russia’s status in world sport.

CAS unanimously determined the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) to be non-compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency code, though it shortened WADA sanctions against Russia from four to two years on Thursday. The ruling confirms that the Russia is banned from either hosting or being granted rights to world championships during the two-year suspension ending Dec. 16, 2022.

The 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship scheduled for May, and the 2023 World Junior Championship also headed to Russia will not be affected.

The CAS ruling affirms that Russia’s name, flag and anthem are banned from international sport, including the Olympic Games, during the two-year suspension. However Russians can compete as "neutral athletes" provided they have not been suspending in doping cases.

An IIHF spokesperson stated: "Although, we would wish for a removal of all sanctions, we feel that the decision reached by CAS is a more appropriate level of sanctioning compared by what was initially being proposed by WADA, and will be more practical for federations to implement.

"We are happy to know that only athletes currently serving a suspension, restriction, or condition by a relevant authority are prevented from participating in the world championships, and that the Russian national team will still be able to compete in IIHF tournaments," the spokesperson said.

IIHF confirmed that the 2023 world championship is not affected by the sanction decision. The awarding of the rights for the 2023 showcase hockey tournament was made on May 24, 2019 during the IIHF World Championships in Slovakia.

The CAS ruling did not specifically address whether teams of Russian athletes could compete at the Olympics. "This point would have to be confirmed by the competent body," a communications officer wrote. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation declared that its men’s and women’s teams will compete at the 2022 Beijing Games.

In regards to future world championship tournaments, the IIHF affirmed that Russian national teams will be able to participate in the men’s and women’s world championships, while noting "without any official federation country markings present on the jersey or team apparel."

The IIHF also stated: ""Russia" can still appear on the jerseys and national team colors used. The national anthem will not be played as well following games by the team."

Minsk, Belarus and Riga, Latvia are scheduled to co-host the 2021 tournament, May 21 – June 6, however the ongoing political strife and IOC sanctions against Alexander Lukashenko and the Belarusian NOC for flagrant athlete abuses will most likely prevent the competition from proceeding in the Belarusian capital.

The IIHF has yet to make any formal declaration about the tenuous and fluid situation surrounding the tournament. Moscow had been rumored as a potential candidate to replace Minsk with IIHF president Rene Fasel and Russian Ice Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak discussing contingencies. However any hopes have been put on ice in the wake of Thursday’s CAS determination.

"The IIHF has not advanced discussions following Russia’s offer to co-host the 2021 World Championship due to this impending decision," said the IIHF statement. "This decision now closes the door on any possibility of any senior world championship being hosted in Russia in the next two years."

The Belarusian Sports Society Foundation, consisting of numerous Belarusian athlete representatives and other rights advocates, has repeatedly called for a boycott and the tournament to be stripped from Belarus.

Russia’s 2019 doping punishment came after evidence was found that authorities tampered with a Moscow laboratory database to conceal hundreds of potential positive cases and falsely shift the blame onto whistleblowers, according to WADA and the IOC.

The Russian ice hockey team, competing as the Olympic Athletes from Russia, defeated Germany 4-3 to the win the gold medal at the PyeongChang 2018 Games. While the Olympic hymn was played as the Olympic flag was raised, Russian players on the ice sang their national anthem.

Under the varying names of Olympic Athletes from Russia, the Unified Team and of the former Soviet Union, Russian hockey players have won nine gold medals over 24 Winter Olympic Games.

Russia last won a world title in 2014, in Belarus, and skated to a bronze medal at the 2019 championship in Slovakia.

Homepage photo: IIHF

Written and reported by Brian Pinelli

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