In the EU Sport Council, politicians discussed the need to strengthen democracy and transparency in sport
At the European Union’s Sport Council meeting held in Brussels today, sports politicians spoke about the need to improve democratic processes and transparency in the sports sector.
In the discussion “Democracy and Transparency in Sport”, Vice-Minister of Education, Science and Sport G. Grybauskas stressed that the EU values, such as respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law and transparency, should be the basis of the sports movement in the EU. He noted that the practices of some international sports organisations are not always in line with the EU’s democratic values.
G. Grybauskas put forward a proposal that the EU should only support sports organisations the activities of which are consistent with EU principles. In the Vice-Minister’s view, support should not be given to sports entities that host athletes from the aggressor countries Russia and Belarus, or that organise competitions in countries that violate human rights.
G. Grybauskas also expressed his support for the application of common European principles of good governance across the EU. At the national level, Lithuania provides public funding only to sports organisations that ensure rotation of governing bodies and transparent financial management.
In his speech, the Vice-Minister stressed the need for a stronger defence of the association-based, not-for-profit model of Europe’s sports, including the values of open competition, solidarity and social responsibility.
The European sports politicians also approved the Resolution on Representation of the EU in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Last updated: 05-12-2025
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