Sports

COVID-19: Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees win praise for refusing to send athletes to 2020 Games

by Charlie Smith on March 22nd, 2020 at 9:25 PM
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      Canada has become the first country in the world to declare that it will not participate in the Summer Olympics unless they're postponed.

      In a statement issued tonight, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee urged that the Tokyo Games be delayed for one year due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

      "This is not solely about athlete health—it is about public health," the two committees stated. "With COVID-19 and the associated risks, it is not safe for our athletes, and the health and safety of their families and the broader Canadian community for athletes to continue training towards these Games.

      "In fact, it runs counter to the public health advice which we urge all Canadians to follow."

      The COC and CPC are supported by their athletes commissions, national sports organizations, and the federal government.

      The Tokyo Games are scheduled to run from July 24 to August 9.

      One of Canada's greatest Olympians, Hayley Wickenheiser, is training to become a doctor.

      Earlier this month, she said that the COVID-19 crisis was bigger than the Olympics. And she accused the International Olympic Committee of insensitivity and irresponsibility by insisting that the Games go ahead as scheduled.

      Tonight, Wickenheiser applauded Team Canada for leading the world.

      Evan Dunfee, an Olympic race walker from Richmond, B.C., tweeted that he's proud to be a member of Team Canada in the wake of its decision.

      "Thank you for being global role models," he declared. "We, the athletes, can now focus on being role models at home. We can safely follow the guidelines without worrying about what will happen come July."

      Meanwhile, the Australian Olympic Committee is warning its country's Olympians to "prepare for a Tokyo Olympic Games in the northern summer of 2021".

      IOC president Thomas Bach said earlier today that the Games will not be cancelled. However, he acknowledged that postponing the 2020 Summer Olympics was an option in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Video: Watch Health Minister Patty Hajdu's March 22 update on COVID-19.

      There have been more than 335,000 cases of COVID-19 in a multitude of countries. China still leads the way with more than 81,000.

      Italy is approaching 60,000 cases and the United States is now third with more than 33,000 cases.  

      There have been 1,470 cases and 20 deaths in Canada linked to the disease.

      For more information on COVID-19 or to try a new self-assessment tool, visit the Canadian government's website. 

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