Richmond Olympic Oval takes down Russian flag amid Ukraine invasion

As Russia continues its unprovoked attack against Ukraine, the Richmond Olympic Oval has taken down the Russian flag.

It was one of several flags on the Olympic Riverside Plaza, representing nations that had collected medals at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, which were hosted by Vancouver.

The Oval, which is operated by the City of Richmond, tells CityNews a section of the city’s flag policy states that it has “the right to decide whether or not to fly the flag of the nation when there is political unrest or conflict in that nation.”

“In accordance with that policy, the Russian flag is no longer being flown at the Richmond Olympic Oval,” reads the statement.

The Richmond Olympic Oval notes the flag policy goes on to state the decision to fly the flag of any nation “neither implies nor expresses support for the politics of those nations.”

Related articles:

• ‘Very least we can do’: B.C. pressed to divest pension funds from Russia-owned investment

• Expert predicts higher gas, food prices for Metro Vancouver amid unrest in Ukraine

• B.C. pulls Russian liquor products from store shelves

This is the latest in several local and international moves in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Canada has denounced the attacks and introduced several sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, on Friday, B.C. announced an “an immediate halt to the importing and sale of Russian liquor products” from BC Liquor Stores and provincial liquor distribution centres.

Related video:

B.C. pulls Russian products off provincial liquor store shelves

Next time you try to restock your liquor cabinet to make a screwdriver or a White Russian… You’ll have a harder time finding some Russian Vodka to make your drinks with. As Kier Junos reports, B.C. has pulled all Russian products from the shelves.

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There has been backlash in the sports community, including the International Ice Hockey Federation suspending Russia and Belarus from international play. The 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship, which was slated to be played in Novosibirsk and Omsk, will also be pulled out of Russia, the IIHF said Monday.

FIFA has suspended Russian teams from international competitions, which was a pivot away from its initial stance which was criticized as being too lenient.

The International Olympic Committee has urged sports federations and event organizers to not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions. Monday’s recommendation is a decisive one that comes as the 2022 Paralympic Games are set to begin.