TORONTO — A Jewish organization from Canada is urging the International Paralympic Committee to change the location of this summer's 2019 world para-swimming championships in the wake of host Malaysia's refusal to allow Israeli athletes to compete in the event.
In a statement Wednesday, B'nai Brith Canada said it has launched a petition urging the IPC to "reject the anti-Semitism from Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad, and relocate to a country that does not discriminate against athletes based on national origin."
Malaysia is among the predominantly Muslim countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Malaysia's foreign minister said last week that the government will not budge on the ban.
Athletes from about 70 countries are expected to compete at the July 29-Aug. 4 swim meet in Kuching.
The IPC is expected to discuss the issue at meetings on Thursday in London and provide an update for its members within a week.
Martin Richard, executive director of communications and marketing for the Canadian Paralympic Committee, said Wednesday that the CPC is "very much aligned" with the direction of the IPC.
"Obviously, inclusivity is one of our key values at the CPC," he said. "The belief is that all athletes should be allowed to participate at a Paralympic Games or at a world championships or a World Cup. It's the right of the athlete and obviously geopolitics should not play a part in whether an athlete should or should not participate.
"That's our view and we've always stood by that. We obviously have communicated that to the IPC and support their stance."
The para-swimming competition serves as a qualifying event for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
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With files from The Associated Press.
The Canadian Press
