AssetID: 55853548
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Nine EU Countries Urge Olympic Funding Cut Over Russia Decision
Caption: Nine EU Countries Urge Olympic Funding Cut Over Russia Decision. Sports ministers from nine EU countries have urged the European Commission to cut funding to the IOC after it lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. The ministers called on EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef to ensure organizations that conflict with EU values do not receive European funding. The IOC last week provisionally reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee despite Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. Swedish Minister Jakob Forssmed said nothing has changed on the ground, arguing Russia's continued aggression should prevent its return to international sport. Sweden, Estonia, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Finland and Denmark signed the joint letter. The IOC said it lifted the suspension because the Russian Olympic Committee no longer includes sports organizations from occupied Ukrainian territories. The ministers argued Ukrainian athletes still cannot compete on equal terms due to the war, saying sport cannot be separated from politics. The letter also calls for ending EU funding for World Aquatics and the International Gymnastics Federation after both reinstated Russian athletes. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Sports,IOC,Russia,Ukraine,European Union,Glenn Micallef,Russian Olympic Committee,sanctions,Jakob Forssmed,Olympics,Sweden,World Aquatics,International Gymnastics Federation,European Commission
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