Nine EU Countries Demand End to EU Funding for Sports Bodies Allowing Russian and Belarusian Athletes
Nine EU member states, including Finland, have called on the European Commission to withdraw financial support from international sports organizations that permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in their events. The demand comes amid growing criticism of bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing participation from athletes affiliated with countries supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
In a joint letter addressed to EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef, the sports ministers of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Romania urged a review of EU funding for organizations that have relaxed restrictions on Russian and Belarusian competitors. The letter specifically names the IOC, the International Swimming Federation (FINA), and the International Fencing Federation (FIE) as examples of bodies whose policies conflict with EU values.
"If these organizations choose not to uphold the values that the EU seeks to promote and defend, EU funding and associated benefits should remain suspended until the organizations demonstrate renewed commitment to these principles," the letter states (Yle). The signatories argue that claims of sports being apolitical are disingenuous in the context of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths.
The initiative for the letter reportedly originated in Estonia, according to Danish broadcaster DR (Yle). Finland’s Minister for Physical Activity, Sport, and Youth, Mika Poutala (Christian Democrats), signed the letter on behalf of the country.
The call for action follows the IOC’s recent decision to lift its ban on the Russian Olympic Committee, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine and its allies. While the IOC imposed broad restrictions on Russian athletes after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian competitors have gradually been readmitted to international competitions in recent months (Politico). The nine countries argue that such decisions undermine the EU’s stance on the war and should disqualify the organizations from receiving Union funding.
The letter was published on Tuesday by Sweden’s permanent representation to the EU (Politico). No immediate response from the European Commission or the named sports bodies has been reported.
