Putin says countries resisting Russia’s return to world sport are violating democratic bodies

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that countries opposing rulings to allow Russia to take part in international sport are violating the rights of both Russian athletes and democratic institutions. Putin made his comments as sports bodies in several countries have said their national teams will not play against Russia following a decision by sport’s highest court to readmit Russian teams to international ice hockey. The countries, including Canada, Denmark and Sweden, cited Rus