"It Is Impossible to Understand": Estonia Seeks EU Funding Ban for the IOC Over Russia Decision
The appeal follows the IOC executive board's decision Tuesday to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. Estonia is calling for all sports bodies which would permit Russia and Belarus back into international competition to have their EU funding cut.
"In the current security situation, it is impossible to understand decisions which seek to bring aggressor states back into international sport as if nothing had happened," said Culture Minister Heidy Purga .
"At a time when the war in Ukraine is going on and people are suffering, we cannot allow sport to be used to normalize this situation. Sport is not values-neutral – it always carries a message. Europe must be clear and united on this. Our support must not reach organizations whose decisions conflict with our values, and our responsibility toward Ukraine," Purga continued, via a press release.
The statement was the initiative of Estonia and has been joined by other nations. It is to be submitted to Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport.
The statement calls for the IOC and several other sports organizations, including the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and World Aquatics, the international governing body of six major swimming and diving sports, to be excluded from EU funding programs.
The proposal also calls for seriously considering restricting these organizations' participation in future discussions and events concerning the development of sport.
The Estonian Olympic Committee (EOK) said the move runs counter to the fundamental values of the Olympic movement.
It also highlighted that Russia and Belarus continue their war of aggression against Ukraine, attacking civilians and destroying Ukrainian infrastructure.
"Every concession sends the message that aggression can eventually become acceptable," said the EOK President Erich Teigamägi.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna called the decision "disgraceful and irresponsible."
"Russia's aggression has had devastating consequences for Ukrainian sport, and under such circumstances it is impossible to speak of fair competition or genuine adherence to the principles of the Olympic Charter. " he continued.
Way to the Olympic
On Tuesday, the IOC announced that it would provisionally lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, which was introduced following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has been in place since 2023.
The move paves the way to allow the Russian team to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Russia has been banned from competing at the Olympic under its own flag since 2016 because of state-sponsored doping offences.
The International Olympic Committee stated that ROC no longer includes as its members any regional sports organisations in territories falling under the jurisdiction of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine.
In addition, the ROC confirmed that it does not, and will not, conduct any activities in these territories.
The IOC promise will continue to closely monitor the situation relating to any ROC activities in territories occupied by Russia and reserves the right to take any further measures if deemed necessary.
The IOC will not organise events in Russia or invite Russian government or state officials to its events.
Decisions in relation to the display of the Russian flag, anthem, colours or any identifications for the Olympic Games will be taken at the appropriate time.
The IOC also continues to stand in solidarity with the Olympic community of Ukraine.
In response, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine issued a statement expressing strong disagreement with the IOC Executive Board's resolution. The Ukrainian NOC labelled the decision as premature, unjustified, and adopted without due regard for the objective circumstances, which have remained entirely unchanged.
Sources: ERR, IOC, Ukrainian News