OTTAWA – The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) supports the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) decision to suspend all membership rights of both the Russian and Belarus National Paralympic Committees (NPC) until further notice.
Because of the continued war and atrocities in Ukraine, this is the logical next step in reaffirming our message that aggression and war are not acceptable. In March of 2022, the IPC first banned both the Russian and Belarusian teams from competing at the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.
"The CPC joins the worldwide movement of NPCs and other sporting organizations in continuing to condemn the atrocities being undertaken by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine," said Marc-André Fabien, president of the CPC.
NPC Russia and NPC Belarus are unable to comply with the IPC membership obligations under the IPC Constitution, including:
o The obligation to respect, support and promote the purpose and objects of the IPC, including the obligation to ensure that, in Para sport within the Paralympic Movement, the spirit of fair play prevails, the safety and health of the athletes are protected, and fundamental ethical principles are upheld…
o The obligation to manage its affairs autonomously and without improper interference from bodies outside the Paralympic Movement, including ensuring that its operations are not influenced by any political, governmental, or religious interference…
o The obligation to not do anything (by act or omission) that is contrary to the purpose or objects of the IPC and/or that risks bringing the IPC, the Paralympic Movement, or Para sport into disrepute.
o For more information: IPC Constitution.
The IPC General Assembly may revoke any suspension imposed in accordance with the IPC Constitution if it is satisfied that the grounds on which it was imposed no longer apply. However, if the situation worsens, the IPC may consider expulsion of the NPCs of both Russia and Belarus in accordance with Article 16.2 of the IPC Constitution.
