CPC statement on IPC membership vote regarding Russia and Belarus

Ottawa, September 29, 2023 – Following a membership vote at the International Paralympic Committee General Assembly in Bahrain today, NPC Russia and NPC Belarus rights have been suspended as members of the IPC. However, the IPC General Assembly has decided athletes from those countries will be allowed to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games as individual and neutral athletes. NPC Russia and NPC Belarus had been fully suspended since November 2022.

[LINK] IPC release

Statement from Marc-André Fabien, president, Canadian Paralympic Committee:

The Canadian Paralympic Committee stood behind the decision to fully suspend NPC Russia and NPC Belarus, including from participation in the Paralympic Games. We continue to believe this is the right course of action to protect and defend the Paralympic values. As such, we are disappointed in the results of today’s vote and that there is not a total ban on membership and participation for NPC Russia and NPC Belarus and their athletes.

Our position is that of solidarity with the athletes, coaches, and support staff in Ukraine who have been affected by this longtime act of aggression, which first began only days prior to the start of the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

We believe in the power of sport to unite and make a significant impact in creating a more inclusive and accessible society, and at the centre of this is safety, security, and well-being.

Our focus going forward will remain on supporting Canadian athletes to be best prepared for the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and Santiago 2023 Parapan Am Games.