CPC statement on Russian/Belarusian participation at the   Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games 

Ottawa, February 26, 2026 – The Canadian Paralympic Committee released the following statement about the participation of Russia and Belarus at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games: 

“We stand in solidarity with Ukrainian athletes and the Ukrainian people. The Canadian Paralympic Committee argued and voted against the reinstatement of the Russian and Belarusian National Paralympic Committees at the IPC General Assembly in September, and we continue today to believe the conditions have not been met for their reinstatement. Our position is rooted in principle: the values of safe, fair, clean, and inclusive sport, and we continue to stand by those principles.   

We are just one voice within the international Paralympic community, and we also respect the democratic process of the IPC membership, even when we firmly disagree with the outcome.  

Our focus now is on ensuring our athletes and team officials are in a safe environment and are best able to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, something they have been preparing for over many years.  

Canadian athletes and team officials will not be physically present at the Opening Ceremony. This was determined well in advance of the recent discussions surrounding the participation of the Russian and Belarusian National Paralympic Committees. With the ceremony located more than two hours from the athlete villages and competition beginning the next day, we made the performance-based decision to keep Canadian athletes and the entire team focused on their preparation and to instead celebrate the opening of the Games with each other in their Villages.  

As a member of the Paralympic Movement, CPC will be present at the Opening Ceremony.”