A group of 42 former Olympic athletes from Canada have urged the Canadian Olympic Committee to reject the idea of allowing Russians to compete in the Paris Games next year unless Russia pulls out completely from Ukraine.
“We condemn recent public statements issued by the COC regarding ‘exploring a path’ for Russians and Belarusians to compete in the Paris Olympics in 2024,” the Canadians wrote, in a statement released Wednesday.
According to the athletes, opening this door “sends the message that the COC is no longer concerned about Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine”.
PHOTO JEFF MCINTOSH, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Former hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser is among the signatories of the press release.
Signatories include Hayley Wickenheiser (hockey), Jennifer Heil and Alexandre Bilodeau (freestyle skiing), Tessa Virtue (figure skating) and Beckie Scott (cross-country skiing).
Russian and Belarusian athletes have been largely excluded from international competitions since Russia invaded Ukraine last February.
The International Olympic Committee is looking for a way for these athletes to compete without officially representing their country.
In their statement, the former Canadian Olympians claimed that the requirement for Russians to declare their opposition to the war is “unfounded and disconnected”.
“For example, it is illegal in Russia to publicly denounce military actions abroad, and virtually impossible for top athletes to oppose war,” the statement read.