IFBB:n hallitus teki 4. heinäkuuta 2024 päätöksen antaa Venäjälle ja Valkovenäjälle oikeuden kilpailla kaikissa IFBB:n kilpailuissa. Tästä asiasta kirjoitettiin ja ihmeteltiin Suomessakin Helsingin Sanomissa ja Ilta-Sanomissa. Kaikki Pohjoismaat: Suomi, Ruotsi, Norja, Tanska ja Islanti sekä Latvia, lähettivät IFBB:n hallitukselle ja 27 Euroopan maille kirjeen, että nämä kuusi maata eivät kannata IFBB:n hallituksen päätöstä. Tässä alla kirje alkuperäisessä muodossaan:
OFFICIAL STATEMENT July 22, 2024
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Response of the IFBB federations: Danmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden,
By this the Danmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Norway and Sweden National Bodybuilding and Fitness Federations would like to express disagreement with and disapproval of the IFBB Executive Board’s decision from July 8th allowing the athletes with Russian or Belarussian passport to compete in all IFBB competitions representing their country, using their flags and anthem.
We find it necessary to stress the utmost importance of competent, transparent, accountable, fair and
comprehensible enforcement procedure for the mentioned IFBB decision, to maintain the credibility of the ones that have taken it, as well as any organizations and individuals that will comply with it.
It is also the responsibility of our governments and the International Olympic Committee to uphold the integrity of international sports. We do not accept the rationale provided by the IFBB Board, which states, ”In these difficult and uncertain times, we believe, more than ever, in the values of sport and its unifying power in respect and solidarity, as the best hope for a better world in peace.” This statement is fundamentally flawed. Supporting a state like Russia, which has invaded another country, contradicts the very principles of promoting world peace.
Our position is clear: as long as there is a significant and positive change in the geopolitical landscape, we will maintain our stance. This decision is made in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and in line with our core values of respect, peace and unity. We strongly believe that the absolute maximum level of acceptable participation of the athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports should be the one formulated by the International Olympic Committee and widely used by the International sports community: these athletes could be only allowed to participate as individual neutral athletes and only under strict eligibility rules (no connections with military or state security agencies, no previous or actual war-supporting actions or expressed opinions).
Furthermore, we, the undersigned IFBB federations along with the Olympic and Paralympic Committees and Sports Federations of our countries, will continue to cooperate and have a close dialogue with the relevant parties. We remain vigilant, assessing the situation to ensure that our actions are consistent with our commitment to peace and justice.
We take this opportunity to once again, express our unwavering support for Ukraine and hope for a quick and peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Sincerely,
Stellan Bossen, Danmark
KP Ourama, Finland
Einar Gudmann, Iceland
Christina Vedernikova, Latvia
Lise Marie Sommerstad, Norway
Jani Kääriä, Sweden