Nine EU Countries Want IOC's Funding Cut Following Lifting of Sanctions Against Russia

Estonia and eight supporting European countries have launched an initiative to ban the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from European Union funds following its lifting of sanctions against Russia. The countries appealed to the European Commissioner for Culture, Youth, and Sport, Glenn Micallef, demanding the IOC's exclusion from the Erasmus+ program.

In a statement issued by the Estonian Ministry of Culture, it was emphasized that all sports organizations allowing Russia and Belarus to return to international sports competitions should be blocked from accessing EU funds. It was noted that the initiative is supported by Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

The proposal suggested that other organizations, such as the International Fencing Federation (FIE) and World Aquatics, should also be excluded from funded programs to limit their participation in future sports sector discussions. This development follows the decision by the IOC Executive Board to lift the disqualification of the Russian Olympic Committee at its meeting held on 7 July in Lausanne, Switzerland.