Romania among nine states urging EU to reduce funding for Olympic Committee after lifting Russia ban

15 July 2026 Romania and eight other states are urging the EU commissioner for Sport, Glenn Micallef, to reduce EU funding for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), following its decision last week to lift the suspension imposed on the Russian Olympic Committee, according to Politico. The IOC imposed severe restrictions on Russian athletes after the country invaded Ukraine in 2022. However, in recent months, Russian athletes have once again been allowed to participate in several international sporting competitions, prompting negative reactions from Ukraine and its allies. Last week, the IOC temporarily lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee. The IOC said it lifted the suspension because the Russian Olympic Committee no longer includes regional sports organizations, and