Twitter Reaction: Canada’s athletes speak out about Olympic decision

Athletes from Canada march in during the closing ceremony in the Maracana stadium at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016. (David Goldman/AP)

Shannon Coulter March 22, 2020, 10:44 PM

Amid growing concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak and continued questions about the future of the Tokyo Olympics, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee announced Sunday that they will not send Canadian athletes to participate in the Games this summer.

The committees also urgently called on the games to be postponed for one year after the IOC announced earlier today that “cancellation is not on the agenda.”

“This is not solely about athlete health — it is about public health,” the COC and CPC said in a press release. “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.”

Canada is the first country to announce that they are not sending athletes to the Tokyo Olympics.

Athletes can spend years ahead of the Olympics or Paralympics refining their craft to prepare to compete — as news of the announcement spread on Twitter, Canadian athletes and former Olympians shared their thoughts on the decision:

Leading the world. Very proud of this evening. #dotherightthing https://t.co/tdqGPAzon3

— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) March 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/GabyDabrowski/status/1241906276856221701

To all the athletes who were working towards the upcoming #Olympics…. I know how hard you have been training and how much your heart has been set on being able to test your abilities on the world stage this summer…. Just know that I am here for you! My DM’s are open! https://t.co/2HG64tHdiV

— Heather Moyse (@HeatherMoyse) March 23, 2020

Tough decision but the right one . Athletes can wait. Sporting events can wait. This is bigger than sports. https://t.co/PBLiMowAnt

— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) March 23, 2020

The right decisions are not always the easiest to make. Really proud of @TeamCanada and everyone involved for prioritizing public health and the health of our athletes above all. https://t.co/l10fy8ecdz

— Iñaki Gómez (@InakiGomezG) March 23, 2020

Full support and respect for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams https://t.co/QJosml4Av4

— Clara Hughes (@clarahughes) March 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/lalongen/status/1241902221555650561

I believe in the safety of our nation but this is premature. https://t.co/g1BYXpArs6

— Sage Watson (@SageWats) March 23, 2020

I stand by my countries decision to put athletes safety and our countries safety first but this is just sad that this decision has to be made for us…. do we not have patience to wait a few weeks? https://t.co/DHV0aND1Ze

— Sage Watson (@SageWats) March 23, 2020

Very difficult news to process tonight. It’s been quite the rollercoaster lately & I must admit I did not see this one coming. Nevertheless, I’m proud of our country for making such a bold but wise decision. #safetyfirst https://t.co/gu02hPJqRa

— Camille Bérubé, PLY (@CamBrub) March 23, 2020

I’m proud to be a member of @TeamCanada / @CDNParalympics. Thank you for being global role models.
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.
Thank you.#37millionstrong https://t.co/sVAtC9sdvJ

— Evan Dunfee (@EvanDunfee) March 23, 2020

Happy to see @CDNParalympics and @TeamCanada taking an “Athlete Centred” approach. Proud to be apart of CPC AC. https://t.co/8bsA8VNrco

— Erica Gavel-Pinos, PLY (@EricaGavel) March 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/TrevorHofbauer/status/1241914030589018115

I am proud to be a member of @teamcanada
Postpone today, conquer tomorrow
#37millionstrong pic.twitter.com/KBiYBlTlQn

— Matthew Sarmento (@sarmy21) March 23, 2020

This is so tough, for so many athletes.

But this situation is bigger than sport.

The health & safety of our athletes, coaches, staff and fans has got to be our top priority.

Proud of @TeamCanada & @CDNParalympics for taking the lead.

To the athletes: we support you % https://t.co/o1PLelqLJJ

— Adam van Koeverden (@vankayak) March 23, 2020

To every athlete dealing with this devastating news: What you do is important, you aren’t alone and help is available if you need to talk.
https://t.co/WqcKphRJAK

— Adam van Koeverden (@vankayak) March 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/justyn_knight/status/1241913960191930369

THIS IS LEADERSHIP. It's hard but health comes before sport now & always. It's bigger than the athletes. This is global public health. If Canada was hosting the Olympics, we wouldn't want the world to descend upon us, so we shouldn't impose this on Japan. Follow suit. https://t.co/TvSQ7CAEPt

— Jasmine Mian (@jasmine_mian) March 23, 2020

As an athlete, sometimes competitions happen and you just aren't ready. This time the world isn't ready. I feel for my friends who are training hard for this moment, but I strongly believe this hurdle will be overcome & you'll get your moment to shine #StayStrong

— Jasmine Mian (@jasmine_mian) March 23, 2020

I really hope other countries follow Canada’s lead to postpone the games #strongertogether

— Marissa Paps (@marissa_paps) March 23, 2020

Thank you @TeamCanada for making the right call. @AthleticsCanada https://t.co/cfagjNUnDY

— Hilary Stellingwerff, OLY (@hstellingwerff) March 23, 2020

#Tokyo2021

— Jerome Blake (@JeromeBlake11) March 23, 2020

Hard decision, right decision https://t.co/hSdkZAd3eL

— Rhian Wilkinson (@rhirhi8) March 23, 2020

Une pensée pour tous les athlètes qui vivent actuellement des moments difficiles.
Parlez de ce que vous ressentez à quelqu'un de confiance et demandez de l'aide si vous en avez besoin! https://t.co/A1UGgQ8YHt

— Audrey Lacroix (@AudreyLacroix) March 23, 2020

Begging the IOC to act & postpone the Olympics. Too many athletes have worked too hard to live in this uncertainty. I’m proud of @TeamCanada for our leadership and now we can only hope that other countries follow suit https://t.co/4fGHbMDhFe

— Victoria Hayward (@VictoriaHayward) March 23, 2020

Let’s hope other countries are thinking the same way and now that one country has stepped forward others will too.

Hosting Olympics in 2021 makes sense when you factor in how athletes are able to train and qualify in the coming months.

(Perhaps run the World Champs in 2022?) https://t.co/12HVqWpHRw

— Reid Coolsaet (@ReidCoolsaet) March 23, 2020

I applaud the leadership @TeamCanada has displayed with this decision. I’m sure it was a difficult decision but necessary. I feel for the summer athletes who have put everything they have into representing Canada in Tokyo. Let’s hope IOC postpones. https://t.co/dn6j6Jwsea

— Calynn Irwin (@CalynnMIrwin) March 23, 2020

the IOC needs to postpone the 2020 Tokyo @Olympics! https://t.co/xCCVpxklYj

— Natalie Achonwa (@NatAchon) March 23, 2020

My heart breaks for the athletes & all who have put their heart and soul into these Games. But I’m so proud of the leadership that has been taken by the COC, CPC & the voice of Canadian athletes, to take a stand for global health. #37millionstrong https://t.co/8pcmGe9vux

— Brittany Campbell (MacLean) (@b_maclean) March 23, 2020

This is painfully hard to comprehend.

An impossible situation, a hard decision, but the right decision.

Proud to be part of @TeamCanada #TrueNorth https://t.co/qBa4Vvh8eI

— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) March 23, 2020

My heart hurts so bad for team I’m now in agreement that 2020 needs to be unplugged and rebooted.
Sport is about to have the greatest comeback ever post COVID but until then, I’m just sad. https://t.co/F4ZszJQzDw

— Lizanne Murphy (@LizzieMurph) March 23, 2020

Thank you @TeamCanada. I absolutely think this was the right thing to do and I’m proud Canada stepped up. https://t.co/REaNxQdt3w

— Andrea Seccafien (@aseccafien) March 23, 2020

A very difficult decision for @TeamCanada but certainly not taken lightly. #Leadership

Thanks to all the key players and nice to have @TeamCanadaAC at the table. Prioritizing public health and our athletes’ health is THE priority.. the Games can wait a little! #ConquerTomorrow https://t.co/Pa7AdNLLom

— Philippe Marquis (@MarquisPhil) March 23, 2020

It’s great to see that @CDNParalympics @TeamCanada are putting the health of our athletes & our country at the forefront. I’m thankful that they made the decision at the top rather than athletes having to choose on their own between their dreams or protecting their health

— Tammy Cunnington PLY

#Tokyo2021

— Aaron Kingsley Brown (@KingsleySC) March 23, 2020

Leadership means tough decisions. Don't see any other solution considering circumstances. Feel for the athletes who must have been on an emotional roller coaster these last few weeks. Happy everyone can now focus on their health, well being, and what's important in this moment. https://t.co/BgZAeIeooT

— Geoff Kabush (@GeoffKabush) March 23, 2020

PROUD of our team for leading the way. Hard to process but the right move for you, me, and the rest of the world. #truenorthstrong #postponethegames https://t.co/FdUrBgSOHv

— Erika Polidori (@erikapolidori) March 23, 2020

Proud to be a part of Team Canada

A bold move was made by taking a stand and putting us athletes, coaches, this country and the rest of the world first during these times. #PostponeTheGames

— Janet Leung (@janetleurng) March 23, 2020

C'est pas tous les jours qu'on rencontre comme athlète quelque chose plus grand que le sport, mais c'est le cas ici. Merci pour votre leadership @sdixon_89 @CDNParalympique @TeamCanada @MarnieMcB @AthletesCAN https://t.co/b50pi1F5Al

— Josh Vander Vies (@joshvandervies) March 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/jen_kish/status/1241913670583504898