Clearly not
I generally favor nuance over absolutes, but in this case I find the answer to be clear: no, Russian athletes should not be accepted into the Olympics as long as Russia continues its aggression (there is no doesn’t really have any other words) about Ukraine. Not even under the Olympic flag. It is a matter of justice and consistency; Ukrainian athletes are heavily affected by the situation, and if we consider that Russia deserves international sanctions, there is no reason that an exclusion from the Olympics should not be part of it. I understand that Russian citizens do not all agree with the behavior of the Russian government (on the contrary, some courageously demonstrate their opposition), but ultimately, a people is dependent on the actions of its country. And the same rule should apply in Canada or the United States in similar circumstances.
Patrick Turcotte
Worthy of Hockey Canada
How can one manage to suggest such an aberration! By what blind reasoning of Russia’s savage attack in Ukraine can the Canadian Olympic Committee think of such an option? By what contortion of thought can the people of the COC arrive there? Who supervises this Olympic committee? Strongly government intervention. This organization does not seem to think any better than that of Hockey Canada. Olympic athletes represent their country and Russia does not deserve its place in the Olympics. She chose another option: go to war and commit war crimes.
Denise Ouellet
The symbol of peace
Absolutely not. It’s not even a question. Russia has broken all the rules that civilized countries have given themselves since World War II. How then can athletes be allowed to represent a country that has flouted everything? The Olympic Games are held under the sign of peace and friendship, not war.
Andre Gagne
Let the conflict be settled
In my opinion, the Russians and Belarusians should be punished until the conflict is resolved.
Suzanne Thomas
Depoliticizing the Games
I completely agree with the admission of Russian or Belarusian athletes to the Olympics. This would be a great opportunity to completely depoliticize the Games! We should never mix politics and the Olympics, even if Putin is a cruel despot! Other politicians elsewhere in the world are not much better and we accept their athletes in the Olympic Games!
John Baudouin
Don’t normalize this killing
If we were the country attacked, would we allow the attacker to be invited to a global celebration? No ! The Olympic Games, in addition to being a sporting celebration, are a celebration of peace, dignity and brotherhood, quite the opposite of what Russia and Belarus are doing to Ukrainians. Allowing these countries to take part in the Games means making this massacre a normal, harmless event! So for me, it’s NO!
Roselyne Legault
Notice to Limited Partners
If this were to happen, I swear that I will not watch any of the Olympic competitions and that I will try to convince lots of people to do the same. Sponsors be advised.
Patrick Frechette
Some athletes support Putin
In light of the various texts, analyses, chronicles and reports on the level of support of the Russian population for Putin’s bloodthirsty aggression, it seems that a large percentage of these people approve of the dictator. However, would it be possible that a certain percentage of amateur and professional athletes (including the most visible sports) also support it? I think that is the case and it is a valid reason to exclude Russian athletes from the Olympics. Moreover, politicians (and especially dictators) have always used their athletes to promote their ideologies.
Clement Lalancette, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
Do not endorse leaders
To accept Russian athletes is to condone the actions of their leaders. It’s no, period. Money has been driving the Olympics for too long.
Luce Goineau
Side effects
Unfortunately, in our modern world, politics is an integral part of everyday life and sometimes certain decisions or actions taken by politicians cause side effects. One of these must be to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the Paris Games in any form.
Christian Bouchard
Do not punish athletes
Canada boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. A political decision that made many athletes unhappy at the time. I sincerely believe that Russian athletes should not be punished for the foolish decisions made by Russian decision-makers to invade Ukraine. Sports and politics never mix.
Marco Veilleux
Unsolvable dilemma
I am undecided and unsure of what is valid. On the one hand, I hate this war and I would like to punish all the people who support it in one way or another. On the other hand, I am aware that the majority of athletes probably do not support this war, but cannot denounce it, lest their family members who still live in Russia pay with their lives or be imprisoned. And I am thinking of the Ukrainians who are suffering and who would suffer even more to see Russia recognized internationally. So why is it okay to see Russian athletes competing in ATP and Grand Slam tennis tournaments? I don’t hear many people decrying this situation. That this bloody war ends is my greatest wish!
Michel Guilbault