As Euractiv writes, EU countries are discussing sanctions against people linked to Russian and Belarusian sport, restrictions on visa issuance, and cuts in support for organizations that allow Russian and Belarusian participants to compete under national symbols. According to the publication, these measures were proposed by the EU diplomatic service and the European Commission in an informal document, which has not yet become the basis for an official proposal from the European Commission.
Among the options, there is also discussion of an attempt to limit media revenues linked to Russian athletes. Diplomats acknowledge that it will be difficult to implement such a scheme.
Another option is to turn to third countries with a request not to help Russian and Belarusian athletes return to international competitions. The discussion is taking place against the backdrop of the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international events under national flags.
After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, not all EU countries support this approach. In July, the International Olympic Committee temporarily lifted the ban on the Russian and Belarusian Olympic committees, which potentially opens the way for athletes to participate in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA. At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Russians and Belarusians were allowed to compete without national flags, anthems, or other state symbols.
In June, EU leaders agreed that until a “just and lasting peace” is established in Ukraine, there should be no normalization of Russia’s participation in international sports and cultural events. At the same time, the governments of EU countries have not yet reached a common view on exactly what measures should be applied and how much states should intervene in the decisions of sports federations. Some countries consider federations to be autonomous organizations, others support a common position, and some states also insist on direct engagement with sports organizations in order to develop a unified approach in Europe and avoid creating unequal conditions for countries hosting international competitions.
EU diplomats expect the European Commission and the EU diplomatic service to prepare additional proposals for the next meeting of the ministers of education, sport, and culture, which will take place on November 20.
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