Canada has opposed Russia's return to the Olympic community
Canada did not support the International Olympic Committee’s decision to temporarily reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee’s rights. The Canadian government stated that it will continue to restrict the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in events funded by Canada.
Ottawa emphasized that it will not change its position on Russia and Belarus as long as the war against Ukraine continues.
Canada opposed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to temporarily reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee. According to him, Canada does not agree with the lifting of the Russian Olympic Committee’s suspension, which had been in effect since October 2023. “Canada strongly opposes the IOC’s decision to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. Since 2022, we have consistently maintained that Russia and Belarus should not be represented in international sports while Russia’s illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues,” Koeverden stated.
He noted that Canada’s position on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes will remain unchanged. “Canada will maintain restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in events held on Canadian soil that receive funding from the Canadian government,” the Secretary of State emphasized.
Koeverden also emphasized that Canada will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. “Canada unequivocally condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and will continue to stand firmly with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, alongside our allies and partners,” he said. According to the government official, Canada remains committed to helping Ukraine defend, restore, and rebuild the country.
The IOC’s decision regarding the Russian Olympic Committee has become yet another source of debate among countries that believe Russia should not be allowed to return to full participation in international sports while the war against Ukraine is ongoing. This was stated by Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport, Adam van Coeverden.
Estonia, together with its partner countries, plans to appeal to the European Commission to review funding for sports organizations that support the return of Russia and Belarus to international competitions.
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladislav Geraskevich called the International Olympic Committee’s decision to temporarily lift the ban on the Russian Olympic Committee’s activities “shameful.” The athlete stated that the IOC is ignoring the facts regarding the involvement of Russian sports organizations in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
