Canadian Paralympic Committee Statement on WADA’s reinstatement of RUSADA

The World Anti-Doping Agency decided today to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency as compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code. 

The International Paralympic Committee released its statement on the decision earlier today, indicating that the IPC Taskforce will have to assess if WADA’s decision addresses two of the three remaining reinstatement criteria related to the suspension of the Russian Paralympic Committee. The Russian Paralympic Committee has been suspended since 2016, and Russia has not participated in the last two Paralympic Games. 

Full Statement from the IPC and IPC Athletes’ Council available HERE.  

STATEMENT FROM KAREN O’NEILL, CEO, CANADIAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE: 

“The Canadian Paralympic Committee believes in clean, fair sport and that all athletes and sport organizations should be subject to the same stringent rules. We are deeply disappointed by WADA’s decision to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency because the evidence shown to date does not yet indicate 100 per cent compliance. We believe more work must be done to ensure transparency and trust moving forward, and the integrity of the international sport system must be the number one priority.  

Cheating has no place in Paralympic sport. We, and our athletes, coaches, and community, remain steadfastly committed to fair play and live by these values every day. Our athletes and coaches have raised concerns about today’s decision, and we hear and support them. We will continue to fight for the rights of our Canadian athletes who are committed to clean sport and a fair playing field.”