Sweden and Eight EU Countries Push to Cut EU Funding to Sports Groups Allowing Russian Athletes

Sweden, together with eight other European Union countries, is urging the EU to restrict financial support to sports organizations that permit Russian athletes to compete. This collective appeal follows the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) recent decision to allow Russian athletes to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics in the United States. Social Minister Jakob Forssmed emphasized the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine as a critical reason behind this stance. Forssmed stated, "Russia is still conducting a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. EU funding programs should not facilitate this."

The nine-nation letter, led by Estonia, has been sent to EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef, requesting a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria for funding recipients within programs such as Erasmus+. The concern is that organizations permitting Russian athletes to compete contradict core EU values. Forssmed highlighted the imperative to uphold European values and ensure that EU funds do not contribute to normalizing the Russian invasion, stating, "We must stand up for Ukraine's freedom and for the values that the European community is based on." This diplomatic move reflects a broader intersection of sports policy and geopolitical considerations amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.