They demand that the EU turn off the tap on the IOC

Nine European countries have asked the European Union to withhold funding from sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, that have allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competitions, Estonia's Culture Ministry said on Tuesday.

The proposal was sent to Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Youth, Culture and Sport, and concerns major organizations, including the IOC, the World Aquatics Federation and the International Fencing Federation.

The proposal is supported by Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden.

The move represents the strongest joint attempt yet by EU member states to put financial pressure on international sports organizations over the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes, which could lead to a clash between European governments and the Olympic movement ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The IOC Executive Board temporarily lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee on July 7, reasoning that athletes should not be held accountable for the actions of their government.

The countries have asked for these sports organisations to be excluded from Erasmus+, the EU programme supporting education, training, youth and sport, as well as from other financial support programmes. They did not specify how much funding could be affected.

"Respect for human rights, the rule of law and peaceful relations between states are among the fundamental principles on which international sport and the Olympic movement are based," the letter states.

Nine countries stated that the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions ignores the position of Ukrainian competitors, who are unable to train under equal conditions.

Russia said at the time that the IOC's decision should pave the way for the full return of Russian athletes to the international sports scene.