EU funding for the IOC should be suspended after the organisation eased restrictions on Russian athletes, according to Denmark, Finland, Sweden and six other EU member states. The governments sent a joint letter to European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef following a recent decision by the International Olympic Committee.
The initiative was launched by Estonia and also received support from Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.
The nine governments want the European Commission to review financial support granted to international sports organisations that allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to return to competitions while Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.
Besides the International Olympic Committee, the letter specifically mentions World Aquatics and the International Fencing Federation, commonly known as the FIE.
Nordic countries challenge EU funding for the IOC
The signatories argue that international sports organisations should not receive European financial support when their decisions conflict with the principles promoted by the EU.
“If these organisations choose not to uphold the values that the EU seeks to promote and defend, EU funding and the related benefits should remain suspended until the organisations demonstrate a renewed commitment to these principles,” the letter said.
The proposed restrictions would cover access to Erasmus+ and other EU financial programmes. The governments also suggested limiting the participation of the organisations concerned in European sports forums and EU-led discussions on the development of sport.
The letter does not automatically suspend any funding. The European Commission will have to assess whether the requested measures can be introduced under the rules governing individual programmes and grants.
Finland’s support was formally expressed by Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity (liikunta-, urheilu- ja nuorisoministeri) Mika Poutala. In Estonia, sport falls within the responsibilities of Minister of Culture (kultuuriminister) Heidy Purga, whose ministry initiated the coordinated appeal.
The IOC has eased restrictions on Russia
The dispute follows the IOC Executive Board’s decision on 7 July to provisionally lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee.
The suspension had been introduced in 2023 after the Russian committee incorporated regional sports organisations from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. The IOC’s latest decision stated that the circumstances supporting the suspension had changed and that previous recommendations limiting Russian participation were no longer applicable.
The decision could make it easier for Russian athletes and teams to return to international competitions. Individual sports federations retain considerable authority over eligibility rules, meaning that restrictions may differ between sports and events.
Russia and Belarus have faced sporting restrictions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russian and Belarusian athletes have often been required to compete as neutrals, without national flags or anthems and subject to eligibility checks.
The IOC, World Aquatics and the FIE had not publicly responded to the joint funding proposal when it was announced.
Ukrainian athletes face unequal conditions
The nine governments said decisions to readmit Russian and Belarusian competitors cannot be separated from the conditions faced by Ukrainian athletes.
Many Ukrainian competitors have been displaced, lost access to training facilities or joined the armed forces. Sports infrastructure has also been damaged or destroyed during the war.
“Any assertions that sport can be separated from politics ring hollow when thousands of innocent Ukrainians have lost their lives,” the letter said.
The signatories also accused the Russian and Belarusian authorities of using international sport to strengthen their political legitimacy. Belarus remains Russia’s closest regional ally and has allowed Russian forces to use its territory during the war.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry described the IOC decision as a troubling signal and urged governments and international federations to maintain restrictions on Russian participation and the use of Russian state symbols.
A coordinated Nordic and eastern European position
The letter brings together the three Nordic EU members with the Baltic states, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands. Several of these governments have previously opposed attempts to restore the full participation of Russia and Belarus in international sport.
The proposal represents a shift from political condemnation towards the possible use of the EU budget as leverage. It would connect access to European funding with compliance with the principles that the signatory governments believe should guide international sport.
Whether the Commission accepts this approach will determine if the disagreement remains a diplomatic dispute or develops into a financial confrontation between the EU and major sports organisations ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
