Russia's hopes of reintegration into international sport suffered a setback when it was barred from the upcoming Junior Ice Hockey World Championships.
Canada said it would deny entry to Russian athletes as a result of the war in Ukraine.
"Due to the position and restrictions formally communicated by the Canadian government, the Russian Under-20 national team is unable to participate in the World Junior Championship," the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) said in a statement.
It said that "after carefully assessing the feasibility of alternative arrangements, the IIHF Council has determined that Canada will remain as host and the tournament will proceed from 26 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 in Edmonton and Red Deer."
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation called the IIHF's decision "unacceptable and unlawful" and said it would appeal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"The IIHF's decision was made solely due to political reasons," it said in a statement.
"The exclusion of the Russian national team violates fundamental legal principles, Olympism, the principle of non-discrimination, equality among athletes and the integrity of international tournaments."
Russia had been suspended from competing in IIHF events since the country invaded Ukraine in 2022, but last month the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the ban.
