Belarusian MFA comments on Canada’s decision to deny visas to Belarusian athletes

Canada’s refusal to issue visas to athletes from Belarus contradicts the Olympic principle, spokesperson for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ruslan Varankov told the media.

"In Canada, they like to talk about a ‘rules-based order’. However, these rules apply only as long as they do not get in Ottawa’s way. States hosting international sporting events are obliged to ensure the admission of participants. This is a basic principle of organizing any international tournaments. The refusal of visas is discrimination of athletes on national grounds and contradicts the Olympic principle of ‘sport outside politics’,” Ruslan Varankov said.

He recalled that the Court of Arbitration for Sport had recently order the International Ice Hockey Federation to admit Belarusian and Russian teams to tournaments in the 2026/2027 season. Canada, as the host of a tournament, cannot ignore it. “That said, Canadian selectivity is nothing new to us: Belarus was denied both the extradition and the provision of information concerning Nazi criminals complicit in the genocide of the Belarusian people who had found shelter in Canada. Today’s move is simply more of the same,” the spokesperson emphasized.

"We expect that the International Ice Hockey Federation will ensure compliance with its own regulations and the court’s decision. Winners in sport must be determined on sports arenas, not in visa centers," Ruslan Varankov added.