Nine EU nations urge funding cut for sports bodies including IOC over readmitting Russians
EU Nations Challenge Funding for Sports Bodies Over Russian and Belarusian Athletes
Background and Proposal
July 14 (Reuters) - Nine European nations have asked the European Union to cut funding to sports bodies including the International Olympic Committee that let Russian and Belarusian athletes return to competition, Estonia's ministry of culture said on Tuesday.
Addressed to European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef, the proposal targets major bodies including the IOC, World Aquatics and the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
The countries behind the proposal are Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
Financial Leverage and Political Implications
The move marks the strongest collective push yet by EU member states to use the bloc's financial leverage against international sports bodies over the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes, setting up a potential confrontation between European governments and the Olympic movement ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
On July 7 the IOC executive board provisionally lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, saying athletes should not be held accountable for the actions of their government.
Details of the Funding Proposal
Targeted Programmes and Unspecified Sums
The countries called for the governing bodies to be excluded from Erasmus+, the EU's programme supporting education, training, youth and sport, as well as other financial support schemes. They did not specify how much funding could be affected.
Core Principles and Letter Excerpts
"Respect for human rights, the rule of law, and peaceful relations between nations are among the core principles underpinning international sport and the Olympic movement," they wrote in the letter.
Responses from Sports Bodies
World Aquatics' Position
World Aquatics defended its decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in World Aquatics events with their respective uniforms, flags and anthems.
"World Aquatics firmly believes athletes of all nationalities should have the right to safely participate in our competitions, and this was reflected in the decision of the World Aquatics Bureau on 13 April 2026," it told Reuters.
"This is a stance shared by our athlete community, and by the IOC and other International Federations."
IOC and FIE Response
The IOC and FIE, which allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions under their national symbols in June, did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
Impact on Ukrainian Athletes and Russian Reaction
Concerns for Ukrainian Competitors
The nine nations said allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes back into competition ignored the reality of Ukrainian competitors, who are unable to train under equal conditions.
Russian Government's Reaction
Russia said at the time the IOC's decision should clear the way for Russian athletes to make a full return to the international sporting stage.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Additional reporting by Suramya Kaushik; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
