The Ukrainian Canadian community is shocked that the representatives of the Canadian Paralympic Committee intend to participate in the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has allowed the Russian flag to fly at the Opening Ceremonies and the Russian team will participate in the Games with its national symbols. And adding insult to injury, the IPC has now banned the Ukrainian team from wearing its uniform because the uniform depicts a map of Ukraine!
In participating in the Opening Ceremony, the Canadian Paralympic Committee is dishonouring the memory of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have given their lives in defence of their freedom and ours. Among the victims of Russian war crimes are over 600 athletes who have been murdered by Russia.
The Canadian Paralympic Committee cannot claim to “stand in solidarity with Ukrainian athletes and the Ukrainian people.” By participating in the Opening Ceremony and accepting without question the disgraceful decision of the IPC, the Canadian Paralympic Committee is betraying the values they purport to support. This is a disgrace.
Ukraine has urged the world to “Boycott the ceremony – defend dignity.”
We call upon the Canadian Paralympic Committee to join with INSERT in boycotting the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games.
PLEASE WRITE TO THE CANADIAN PARALYMIC COMMITTEE 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 urge them to boycott the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.
Mr. Marc-André Fabien, President, Board of Directors, Canadian Paralympic Committee:
mfabien@fasken.com
Ms. Karen O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee:
koneill@paralympic.ca
Canadian Paralympic Committee:
media@paralympic.ca
