The EC pointed out the impossibility of depriving the IOC of funding due to the return of Russia

The European Commission (EC) does not have the authority to deprive the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of funding due to the return of Russian athletes, as it does not allocate funds to this organization. This was stated on July 15 by EC representative Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, commenting on the call of Estonia and a number of other EU countries to stop supporting the Olympic movement.

"We completely disagree with this decision of the IOC. <...> But I want to clarify a very important thing: the European Commission does not finance the International Olympic Committee, this is very important. Therefore, she cannot deprive him of European funding," she explained, the recording is available on the EC website.

At the same time, Itkonen noted that Brussels intends to look for ways to influence individual sports structures. The agency will check which European organizations receive funds from the budget of the European Union (EU) and plan to allow Russians to compete. The purpose of the review will be the possible cancellation of funding for such associations.

Olympic movements: what changes the restoration of Russian sports rights

When will athletes from the Russian Federation be able to compete under the national flag and participate in international tournaments at home?

The day before, Estonia and eight other EU countries proposed to the European Commission to deprive the IOC and a number of international sports organizations of funding for the admission of Russians to international competitions. In addition, the authors of the letter suggested reviewing the organization's participation in future European discussions and events dedicated to the development of sports.

According to Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports and head of the Russian Olympic Committee, the IOC's decision will accelerate the process of restoring all Russian athletes to the international arena. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the IOC's decision an important step. The recommendations of the committee have already been supported by the International Gymnastics Federation.