Canada maintains opposition to Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under national flags

Canada says it will continue to oppose Russian and Belarusian athletes representing their countries under national flags, symbols, colours or anthems at international sporting events hosted in Canada.

In a statement issued November 3, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab and Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden reaffirmed the federal government's position following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The ministers say Canada will continue to prevent Russia and Belarus from receiving formal representation in international sport while the war continues and Belarus remains complicit in Russia's actions.

Under the announced measures, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship will use authorities under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to individually assess and prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada to compete under their national symbols.

The federal government will also continue requiring sporting events receiving Government of Canada funding to prohibit Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under their respective national symbols.

However, the restrictions do not prevent individual athletes from competing in Canada in a neutral capacity.

The ministers emphasized that the measures are directed at the governments of Russia and Belarus, rather than their populations or individual athletes competing without national representation.

Canada also cited its broader support for Ukraine, noting that it has committed more than $26 billion in assistance and imposed sanctions on more than 4,200 individuals, entities and vessels since Russia's invasion.

The government says its position will remain unchanged as long as Russia's war against Ukraine continues.