Фото: skating.by
EU countries are considering a number of measures that could limit the return of Belarusian and Russian athletes to competing under their national flags. Euractiv reports, citing several European diplomats.
The measures under discussion include sanctions against individuals linked to Belarusian and Russian sports, visa restrictions and cuts in funding for organizations that allow Belarusian and Russian athletes to compete under national symbols. There is also discussion of potentially restricting media rights revenue linked to Russian athletes and appealing to third countries not to facilitate their return to international sports.
According to the outlet, these options are set out in an informal document prepared by the EU diplomatic service and the European Commission. It is not yet the basis for a formal European Commission proposal.
According to diplomats, EU countries disagree over the possible measures. Some governments believe that sports federations should make their own decisions on whether to admit athletes. Others support a common EU position under which Belarusian and Russian athletes should not be allowed to compete if they have official ties to their governments.
On Tuesday, Slovakia blocked a draft final document being considered by EU ambassadors responsible for security issues, three diplomats told Euractiv.
The discussion is taking place against the backdrop of the International Olympic Committee’s decision in July to temporarily lift restrictions on the Olympic committees of Russia and Belarus. This could potentially open the way for athletes from the two countries to compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Belarusian and Russian athletes were allowed to compete only without national flags, anthems and other symbols of state affiliation.
In June, EU leaders said that there should be no normalization of Russia’s participation in international sporting and cultural events until a “just and lasting peace” is achieved in Ukraine. However, according to several diplomats, disagreements remain among EU governments over what measures should be taken and to what extent states should intervene in decisions traditionally left to sports federations.
EU diplomats expect the European Commission and the EU foreign policy service to prepare new proposals ahead of the next meeting of ministers responsible for education, sports and culture, scheduled for November 20.