BEIJING – The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) fully supports Russian and Belarusian athletes being banned from competing at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games following the European nations' invasion of Ukraine.
"We join many organizations around the globe in continuing to condemn the atrocities being undertaken by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine, and stand alongside the Ukrainian team at these Games," a CPC statement said.
On Thursday (March 3) in a special meeting, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided to decline Russian and Belarusian athletes entries to participate in Beijing.
The decision came after the IPC said Russian and Belarus athletes would compete as neutrals under the Paralympic flag and would not be included in the medal table in Beijing on Wednesday (March 2).
“At the IPC we are very firm believers that sport and politics should not mix," said Andrew Parsons, IPC President, at the meeting. "However, by no fault of its own the war has now come to these Games and behind the scenes many Governments are having an influence on our cherished event.
“In the last 12 hours, an overwhelming number of members have been in touch with us and been very open, for which I am grateful. They have told us that if we do not reconsider our decision, it is now likely to have grave consequences for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. Multiple NPCs, some of which have been contacted by their governments, teams and athletes, are threatening not to compete."
Bow Valley Para athletes are competing in Para nordic skiing, which includes Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre.
All times MST:
On March 4, men's and women's biathlon sprints start at 7 p.m.
On March 5, men’s (18km) and women’s (12km) sitting long-distance events start the cross-country portion in Beijing at 7 p.m.
On March 6, men's (20km) and women's (15km) standing and visually impaired classic at 7 p.m.
On March 7, men's and women's 10km middle-distance biathlon (sitting, standing, visually impaired) starting at 7 p.m.
On March 8, women's and women's sprint (sitting, standing and visually impaired) at 7 p.m.
On March 10, men's and women's biathlon 12.5 km individual (sitting, standing and visually impaired) at 7 p.m.
On March 11, men's and women's 10km freestyle starting at 7 p.m., and men's and women's sitting (7.5km) at 9:30 p.m.
On March 12, mixed relay (4 X 2.5km) at 7 p.m. Open relay (4 X 2.5 km) at 9 p.m.
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