Russia’s Yamal region will remain barred from competing at the Arctic Winter Games, the international committee in charge of the event said on Wednesday.
Yamal was initially suspended on March 1, 2022 as a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The international committee’s board – which includes representatives from the NWT – has now “reaffirmed” that suspension, a news release stated.
As a result, Yamal will not feature at the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse.
“The suspension remains in place as part of AWGIC’s ongoing commitment to youth safety, legal compliance, and the integrity of the Games,” the news release stated.
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“Our responsibility is to uphold the principles that define the Arctic Winter Games –
safety, fairness, and respect for all participants,” committee president John Rodda was quoted as saying.
“The board’s reaffirmation of Yamal’s suspension reflects these principles while providing a clear, structured pathway for review in the future.”
The committee said it will work to establish “transparent benchmarks and timelines for ongoing assessment” of Yamal’s status after the 2026 Games.
Without Yamal, the Arctic Winter Games’ contingents are Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta North, Nunavut, Nunavik, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and Sápmi.
