Finland and Iceland firmly believe that there is no sport outside of politics and oppose the participation of russian and belarusian athletes in international sports competitions even under a neutral flag.

During the annual meeting of the Olympic and Paralympic Committees, sports confederations of the countries of Northern Europe, which took place from August 30 to September 1 in Greenland, the participants unanimously confirmed previous joint statements regarding the inadmissibility of the participation of russians and belarusians in international sports competitions:

"The situation with the war in Ukraine has not changed.

Therefore, we stand firm in our position, not to open for Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international sports participation.

Now is not the right time to consider their return; that is our position.

We, the Nordic Olympic and Paralympic Committees and Confederations of sports, take this opportunity to reaffirm our steadfast support once again with the Ukrainian people and the demand for peace.

The Nordic Olympic and Paralympic Committees and Confederations of sports will work together and in close dialogue with relevant stakeholders to evaluate and continuously monitor the situation closely."

Many thanks to the Finnish Olympic Committee Suomen Olympiakomitea, the Finnish Paralympic Committee Suomen Paralympiakomitea ry, the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland Íþrótta- og Ólympíusamband Íslands - ÍSÍ, the National Paralympic Committee of Iceland Íþróttasamband fatlaðra and the Åland Islands Sports Federation for their constant solidarity and support of Ukraine!