Are athletes at post-secondary schools elite? Ontario's new COVID-19 rules say no, but now there's pushback

Under new Ontario restrictions in efforts to fight the pandemic, Olympic and Paralympic athletes are among "elite" sports interests given the go-ahead to continue competition.

Competitors at post-secondary schools, however, weren't given that elite designation — and many in university and college sports circles say the province dropped the ball on that one.

Now, calls are growing for Ontario to also consider universities and college sports elite under the new COVID-19 restrictions that kicked in Wednesday.

On Thursday, the athletics department at McMaster University in Hamilton encouraged student athletes to "get loud" — including by using the hashtag #OUAisElite on social media, referring to Ontario University Athletics (OUA). 

While most indoor sport and recreational facilities closed Wednesday, athletes training for the Olympics and Paralympics, as well as select professional and elite amateur sport leagues, are allowed to stay in the game.

"The ministry's decision not to designate the OUA as elite amateur sport on Monday is disappointing," the department said in an email to athletes.

"Unfortunately, the new restrictions have halted our return to train and, until further notice, we must stop all on-campus activity including anything related to training, competing, and recruiting."

A spokesperson for Premier Doug Ford said Monday's decision was based on advice from the province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore.

"Our government is doing everything possible to blunt the transmission of COVID-19 and the rapidly spreading omicron variant," press secretary Alexandra Adamo wrote in an email to CBC News.

"These time-limited measures will help in our fight against this virus and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. This decision, based on advice from the chief medical officer of health, was made to keep people safe."

In a statement on Tuesday, the OUA said elite recognition "is well deserved for the talented individuals that make up the conference, as is witnessed year in and year out.

"The notion that the hard-working student athletes, who have long strived toward the goal of competing at the post-secondary level and proudly representing one of the OUA's 20 member institutions in the sport they love, aren't considered elite by the government of Ontario is a disservice to the dedication, commitment and talent that they continue to show on a day-to-day basis." 

The OUA said the athletes, in addition to proving their efforts academically and in the community, have exhibited their athletic ability at the provincial level against some of their sport's best.

Additionally, the OUA said, several athletes have continued to make their marks in their sports on even "grander scales."