February 27, 2026. OTTAWA, ON. Ihor Michalchyshyn, UCC CEO and Executive Director, issued the following statement:
The Ukrainian Canadian community is deeply disappointed that the Canadian Paralympic Committee has stated its intention to take part in the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games.
This, despite the fact that the International Paralympic Committee has seen fit to allow the Russian flag to fly at the Opening and to allow the Russian team to participate with its national symbols.
The Russian flag represents a state that has for more than four years waged a genocidal war against Ukraine. Russia is responsible for myriad war crimes and crimes against humanity against Ukrainian civilians – including systemic, state-sanctioned murder, rape and torture.
In participating in the Opening Ceremony, the Canadian Paralympic Committee is disregarding the crimes Russia is committing. This decision is offensive to the Ukrainian Canadian community and an insult to the memory of tens of thousands of Ukrainians – among them over 600 athletes – murdered by Russia.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) urges the Canadian Paralympic Committee to reverse their shameful decision and to join Ukraine and Ukraine’s friends in boycotting this disgraceful event.
As Ukraine has urged the world, “Boycott the ceremony – defend dignity.”
Yesterday, the UCC wrote to the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Government of Canada to urge them to boycott the Opening Ceremony.
To read the letter click here: UCC letter to Secretary of State (Sport) and Canadian Paralympic Committee re participation of Russia in Opening Ceremony
PLEASE WRITE TO THE CANADIAN PARALYMIC COMMITTEE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND TELL THEM: – BOYCOTT THE CEREMONY – DEFEND DIGNITY
The UCC calls on everyone who supports Ukraine and Canada and defends dignity to write to the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Government of Canada and urge them to boycott the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, PC, MP, Secretary of State (Sport)
Mr. Marc-André Fabien, President, Board of Directors, Canadian Paralympic Committee
