Canada Decides Against Joining Boycott of Games

Canada will take part in the Commonwealth Games opening today, Sports Minister Otto Jelinek confirmed Wednesday.

The Canadian minister’s postponement of a news conference Tuesday night gave rise to rumors that the Canadian team might join the boycott of the games.

But he said the final decision to attend the 10-day event had been made only Wednesday because the Canadian government was still looking at various options Tuesday night.

“The Canadian team has the total, full and absolute support of the government and its officials,” Jelinek said. “We regret that so many nations have boycotted the Commonwealth Games. Sport should be in a position to override any political or ideological difference between people.”

Thirty-one countries have pulled their teams out of the games, 26 declaring they were boycotting the event to protest the British government’s refusal to agree to economic sanctions against South Africa. The other five gave no reason for their withdrawal. That leaves 27 participants.