RIHF statement concerning the cancellation of the 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship

The 2021 IIHF Women's World Championship, which was originally due to be played in Halifax and Truro, Canada, between the 6th and 16th of May 2021, has been cancelled as a consequence of concerns over safety risks associated with COVID-19.

The decision was made by the provincial government of Nova Scotiа.

"This is very disappointing news to receive with just a few weeks until the tournament was to begin." stated IIHF president Rene Fasel when speaking to the official website of the international ice hockey governing body. "We strongly believe that we had the adequate safety measures in place to protect players, officials, spectators, and all residents in Halifax and Truro, based on the IIHF and Hockey Canada’s experiences from hosting the IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton."

The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) and Hockey Canada have confirmed that they will explore all options in order to subsequently stage the competition in the coming months.

The Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) regrets the cancellation of the tournament, while understanding the need for the taking of such a decision by the Canadian authorities as the health and safety of the public is of the highest importance. The RIHF thanks the fans, coaches and everyone who prepared for the tournament and supported the team.

The senior Russian women's national team will continue preparing for future international competitions, with the main tournament being the 2022 Olympic Games.