Olympics 2024: UCC demands verification of “neutrality” for athletes from Russia and Belarus

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) has called on the Canadian government to investigate whether “neutral” athletes from Russia and Belarus complied with rules regarding their participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

In a letter to Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, the UCC drew attention to the findings of a report by the international lawyers’ organization Global Rights Compliance (GRC). According to the study, more than two-thirds of Russian athletes and over one-third of Belarusian athletes who received permission from the IOC have violated the principles of participation, as they support Russia’s aggression and collaborate with its military and security structures.

“Despite the laudable efforts of organizations like Global Rights Compliance to bring to the attention of the IOC the serious breaches of their own (laughable) Principles, it seems that the IOC “ignored all further communication from the international human rights foundation despite repeated evidence being shared on athletes’ violations,” the letter reads. 

In light of Canada’s firm stance on prohibiting Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Olympic Games, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has formally requested the relevant ministry to detail actions taken to ensure that the so-called Independent Neutral Athletes comply with the IOC’s Principles of Participation.

“Please also advise whether Canadian Olympic athletes will compete alongside Russian and Belarusian athletes who support Russia’s systemic murder, torture and rape of Ukrainian civilians and support Russia’s attempt to destroy the Ukrainian state and annihilate the Ukrainian people. Please also advise whether you will support Ukrainian Olympic Athletes, who may choose not to compete alongside these so-called Independent Neutral Athletes,” the UCC wrote.

The UCC noted that, considering the well-documented media reports about scandals, widespread corruption, and the IOC’s cooperation with Russia, such developments are not surprising. However, as the UCC emphasized, the situation raises deep concern and is morally unacceptable.

“The UCC warned the IOC, the Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Government of Canada that Russia would use the 2024 Olympics as a propaganda tool and called for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be banned completely from the Games,” the UCC wrote.

Earlier, it was reported that the UWC, in partnership with the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council (UACC), the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, and with the support of the Office of the President of Ukraine, is launching the #TheLastOlympics campaign, timed with the start of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.