Latvia joins bloc of eight countries demanding EU funding cut to IOC and international federations
Latvia, together with seven other EU member states, plans to urge the European Commission to halt EU funding to the International Olympic Committee and several international sports federations in protest against the rehabilitation of Russia and Belarus in international sports. Meanwhile, Latvia's own stance on state funding for its athletes' participation in the Olympics remains unclear.
Latvia has joined a group of eight European Union countries preparing to call on the European Commission to withdraw EU funding from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and a number of international sports federations. This move stems from dissatisfaction with these organizations allowing Russia and Belarus to re-enter international sports after their previous exclusion related to the war in Ukraine.
The member states behind the initiative argue that the actions of the IOC and the federations contradict EU values and sanctions policy, and therefore they want to ensure that EU budget funds are not directed to these organizations. The exact list of federations targeted for funding cuts has not yet been disclosed.
Meanwhile, within Latvia's domestic policy, there is still no clear stance on whether state funding should be provided for Latvian athletes to participate in the Olympic Games. Discussions on this issue continue, and a decision has not been reached. This uncertainty adds to tension in the sports community as the next Olympic Games approach.
