COC and CPC statement on Canada’s diplomatic boycott of Beijing 2022

TORONTO/OTTAWA (December 8, 2021) — The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees issued a statement on Wednesday in reaction to the Federal Government’s announcement of a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games:

“We understand and respect the government’s decision to not send diplomatic missions to the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. We also recognize how this announcement draws the important distinction between the participation of athletes and the participation of government officials at the Games. 

“The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee remain concerned about the issues in China but understand the Games will create an important platform to draw attention to them. History has shown that athlete boycotts only hurt athletes without creating meaningful change. We also know the importance of Team Canada to Canadians, and we are committed to ensuring they can participate safely at the Games. Our athletes have a unique ability to inspire millions of Canadians of all ages, and billions around the world, while the Games foster increasingly important people-to-people connections. 

“We thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport Adam van Koeverden, and the Canadian Government for their ongoing support of Team Canada and know that they, along with Canadians from coast to coast to coast,  will be cheering for Team Canada this winter.”

— David Shoemaker, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General, Canadian Olympic Committee

— Karen O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Josh Su, Specialist, Public Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-464-4060
E: jsu@olympic.ca 

Thomas Hall, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 514-709-1054
E: thall@olympic.ca

Nicole Watts, Manager, Public Relations 
Canadian Paralympic Committee 
C: 613-462-2700 
E: nwatts@paralympic.ca 

Martin Richard, Executive Director, Communications and Brand
Canadian Paralympic Committee
C: 613-725-4339
E: mrichard@paralympic.ca