Russia set to return to international hockey after top sports court's ruling

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the International Ice Hockey Federation's ban on Russian athletes was unlawful, allowing their participation in tournaments. This decision has raised concerns about Russia's return to international sports amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The IIHF expressed disappointment but acknowledged the ruling. The CAS found insufficient evidence for safety concerns cited by the IIHF. As a result, Russia can compete in upcoming ice hockey events across several countries. Meanwhile, the EU is considering measures to limit Russia's access to sports, although the European Commission respects the autonomy of sports organizations. The ruling may set a precedent for future cases, despite CAS maintaining a ban on Russian participation in other sports like curling.