Statement on the position of athletes from Russia and Belarus

Geopolitical developments are increasingly affecting sport and international sporting events. International sports federations are autonomous in policy decisions they make in response to political conflicts. This creates a diverse and, above all, complex landscape for national governing bodies affiliated with NOC*NSF and their athletes, and therefore also for NOC*NSF itself.

NOC*NSF operates on the principle that athletes should be enabled to practise their sport, regardless of the political situation in their country of origin. Accordingly, NOC*NSF places the interests of athletes at the centre of its considerations, including in cases involving moral dilemmas.

At the same time, NOC*NSF respects the autonomy and choices of athletes, national federations and international federations. Dutch sports federations are bound by the regulations of their respective international federations, including in sensitive matters. This means, among other things, that at certain international competitions, including those held in the Netherlands, Russian athletes and Russian national symbols must once again be permitted.

At the same time, NOC*NSF retains the right to express its views at a governance level on matters relating to war, human rights and their impact on elite sport. As sport forms an integral part of society, NOC*NSF will continue to engage in dialogue on the appropriate role of sport in the context of political conflicts, taking into consideration developments in public and political opinion within the Netherlands.

NOC*NSF closely monitors the growing impact of international political conflicts on sport, particularly on international sporting events. It is evident that, due to international political developments, sport and politics cannot be separated; examples of this can be seen every day. This is reflected in the differing approaches taken by international federations, national sports federations, and athletes. Consequently, staging international sporting events in the Netherlands is becoming increasingly complex in practice.

A complex situation

This is clearly illustrated by the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A number of international sports federations have already fully reinstated Russian and Belarusian athletes, including permitting the use of national symbols. Other federations continue to oppose their participation on principle, while some allow them to compete under a neutral flag.

The IOC recently provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and intends to permit Russian athletes to compete once again, subject to strict conditions, including compliance with anti-doping regulations and individual eligibility requirements. This may enable them to qualify for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. For the time being, however, the Russian flag and national anthem remain prohibited. The IPC, by contrast, had already decided earlier to fully readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes to Paralympic elite sport, including the use of their flag and anthem.

For NOC*NSF and all national sports federations, this complex environment creates not only dilemmas but also practical challenges when organising European Championships, World Championships and other elite sporting events in the Netherlands. This is particularly evident in sports where the rules of the international federation are not aligned with the policy of the Dutch government. By way of example, Russian athletes are not granted visas by the Dutch authorities and therefore travel to the Netherlands via another Schengen member state. Moreover, the Dutch government only permits participation under a neutral flag. An international sports federation may, however, simply choose to disregard this position.

Athletes first

Sports organisations and athletes do not exist in isolation from society. The moral dilemmas and debates surrounding participation in sporting events involving countries engaged in armed conflict or accused of human rights violations are present at every level, both individual and organisational. In considering these issues, our consistent guiding principle is to place the athlete at the centre of our decision-making. Athletes should be able to pursue their sport regardless of the political circumstances in their country of origin. Equally, political decisions and developments should not result in Dutch athletes being denied access to international competition. While sport and politics cannot be separated, the aim is to keep athletes and politics separate.

At the governance level, however, NOC*NSF may choose to express its disapproval of certain politically contentious decisions. One example is its decision not to attend official ceremonial events, as was the case during the Paralympic Winter Games in Milan earlier this year. Where appropriate, we also provide guidance to athletes on how they can express their views without risking disqualification.

Russian flag may displayed in the Netherlands

As international federations set the rules for international competitions, national governing bodies must respect those rules if they wish their athletes to remain eligible to compete. This also applies to World and European Championships hosted in the Netherlands. In practical terms, depending on the sport and the relevant federation's regulations, the Russian flag and national anthem may form part of the medal ceremony if a Russian athlete wins.

Keeping developments under review

In summary, NOC*NSF places the highest priority on the interests of athletes and their ability to participate in international competition. At the same time, and in the interests of athletes themselves, we will continue to monitor developments both in the Netherlands and internationally. Given the fluid nature of the geopolitical landscape, it is important to assess continually the impact of these developments on athletes, the wider sports sector and Dutch society.

Sport is an integral part of society. It brings people together and contributes to a healthier, more resilient and more cohesive community. As the umbrella organisation for sport in the Netherlands, we will therefore continue to engage openly with sports federations and society at large on how sport should respond to political conflicts and changing geopolitical relations.