TORONTO – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, released the following statement in response to the ongoing appalling situation in Ukraine:
AthletesCAN strongly condemns Russia’s senseless actions against Ukraine, which stand in direct contradiction to the Olympic and Paralympic Charters and the essence and values of the global sports movement.
We join our partners at the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, their Athletes Commissions/Councils, fellow independent athlete leaders at the World Players Association, Global Athlete and other national athlete groups, in calling for the suspension of all Russian and Belarusian sports federations immediately.
Sport plays a critical role in our culture; we do not support the use of sport as a sign of national pride for those who have displayed clear aggression to other countries. We stand united in the call for the removal of Russian and Belarusian athletes in upcoming sport events and declare that the sanctions imposed restricting athletes from both countries to compete as neutrals in the Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing are not nearly sufficient – in essence, there remains no fundamental change. Therefore, we call for any hosting rights of international sporting events by either nation be revoked moving forward.
AthletesCAN continues to stand with its allies and the people of Ukraine in its commitment to a safe sport and humanitarian environment both at home and abroad, including for all visible and non-visible minorities and equity-deserving groups at all times.
About AthletesCAN
AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world. As the voice of Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture. Follow us on social @AthletesCAN.
For more information, please contact:
Alan Hudes
Manager, Communications & Sport Partnerships
AthletesCAN
Cell: 613-526-4025 Ext. 224
[email protected]