Protesters target Alex Ovechkin's Ottawa game as World Juniors Russia debate intensifies
Ovechkin has been outspoken in his support for Vladimir Putin, and his game against the Ottawa Senators came weeks before the World Juniors will be held in Alberta as Russian athletes' participation remains up in the air.
Key points
- PUTIN ACCUSES HOCKEY ORGANIZATIONS OF 'GROSS VIOLATION' AS CANADA BARS RUSSIA FROM WORLD JUNIORS "It’s his thoughts, his decisions," Ovechkin said of Carney.
- The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) said it disagreed with the CAS but said last week it is "taking the necessary steps required" to comply with the CAS ruling to allow Russia to play.
- Germany, the host of the 2027 men's world championships, also suggested backing out if Russia was allowed to play.
The UCC last month called on Canada to ban Ovechkin "and other supporters of Russia’s genocide against Ukraine." As for the World Juniors, Canada officials originally said Russian players would be barred from playing next month despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) lifting the ban.
Additional details
- CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE "It's absolutely not acceptable," Mike Ryndzak, a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress said of Ovechkin playing in Ottawa, via CBC.
- But it’s not up to us." Russia did not compete in Olympic hockey earlier this year, the first since 2014 that had NHL players, nor was it included in the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off.
- Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Norway, Latvia and Denmark came out with statements signing up for a boycott of games against Russia as long as the war in Ukraine is ongoing.
- Putin put out a statement through the state-run Russian outlet TASS calling out organizations that are preventing Russian athletes from competing for their country.
- "I don't know what to say," Ovechkin said of the protests before the game.
How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →
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