International work

• We actively take a stance on current sports policy issues, participate in discussions, and influence decisions, especially through our memberships.

• We participate in or seek involvement in various international committees or working groups, influencing through these channels. Additionally, we engage in several informal networks where experts exchange information on current issues.
• We encourage our member organizations to support our positions. When necessary, we form joint positions. Sports federations influence through their own international federations, positions, meetings, or international relations.
• We provide our members with information, tools, and support on international matters through executive director briefings and workshops.
• We engage in continuous Nordic cooperation through webinars and active communication.
• We exchange information with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, embassies, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and similar entities.
• We regularly meet or discuss with key decision-makers in the Olympic movement.

The Finnish Olympic Committee believes that freedom of opinion and expression is a fundamental right for athletes. Athletes have full freedom to express their opinions on any matter – or to choose not to express them.

For advocacy work and decision-making, the Olympic Committee has experts, elected officials, and an operational management team. If an athlete wants to participate in advocacy work or take a stand, we provide support for this. At the same time, we want to guarantee the right to focus solely on sports for those athletes who wish to do so.

Currently, there are several difficult situations in world politics that are about matters larger than sports. In its international advocacy work, the Finnish Olympic Committee follows the guidelines that Finland as a state adheres to in international politics; we strive to promote peace, democracy, and understanding and to influence matters by participating in international sports communities.

In several international situations, the participation of different countries in international sports is decided by international sports organizations or, in the case of the Olympics, by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Finnish Olympic Committee does not have voting rights or decision-making power in these organizations, but we hope that the decisions of sports organizations align with the guidelines of international communities such as the UN and the EU.

On almost all current international issues related to sports or those that are deemed to potentially impact sports, we engage in discussions with our key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Nordic countries.

The international geopolitical situation is constantly changing, and the question of boycotting a country or event in various contexts regularly arises in discussions. 

The Finnish Olympic Committee has historically avoided all boycotts, as our policy is to influence matters by participating in the international sports community rather than by staying outside of it. For the Finnish Olympic Committee to consider a boycott, it would require broader international support behind it. 

The Finnish Olympic Committee maintains regular dialogue with Finland’s state leadership, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and other key authorities. To date, we have made—and will continue to make—our decisions in very close cooperation with our most important reference groups, namely the Finnish government and the other Nordic Olympic Committees. 

We exercise influence through our memberships in the organisations where decisions are made. We participate in and seek positions on various international committees and working groups to influence decision-making. We are also involved in several informal networks where experts exchange information on current issues.

Here are some examples of the organisations and positions through which we exercise influence:

INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND POSITIONS

The Finnish Olympic Committee actively influences the Olympic Movement and international organisations through its memberships. We are represented in organisations and positions where key decisions concerning physical activity and sport are made. We believe that cooperation and acting with a united voice are the most effective ways to make an impact.

FINNISH OLYMPIC COMMITTEE’S INTERNATIONAL POSITIONS 2026

International Olympic Committee (IOC):

Sari Essayah

IOC Member

Member of the following commissions:

Sustainability and Legacy (2016–)

Digital and Technology (2017–)

Coordination for the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad Los Angeles 2028 (2019–)

Board member of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA)

European Olympic Committees (EOC):

• Emma Terho, Executive Committee member and Chair of the Esport Commission
• Elina Laine, member of the EOC Sustainability and Active Society Commission
• Tapio Korjus, member of the Culture and Education Commission

Other international positions:

• Petri Heikkinen, Board member and Treasurer of the European Association of Sport Employers (EASE)
• Kaisa Larjomaa, Chair of the ENGSO EU Advisory Board
• Tarja Krum, member of the ENGSO Equality Within Sport Committee, representing the Finnish Olympic Committee
• Siiri Turunen, member of the ENGSO Youth Committee

FINNISH OLYMPIC COMMITTEE’S INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS 2025

Global

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the umbrella organisation for National Olympic Committees

Europe

European Olympic Committees (EOC)

European Olympic Committees EU Office (EOC EU Office)

European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO)

European Association of Sport Employers (EASE)

European Athlete as Student (EAS), a dual career network

FINNISH OLYMPIC COMMITTEE’S INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS 2026

Nordic countries

FELLES: An annual meeting of Nordic sport and physical activity leaders to discuss current issues

NILE: Nordic training in sports leadership and a network for professionals working on international affairs

Nordic network for sports facility construction

Nordic network for coaching expertise

Nordic cooperation group on children’s and young people’s physical activity and sport

Nordic Dual Career network

Global

IOC–NOC Games Preparation network

International University Sports Federation (FISU)

International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG): A network promoting gender equality in physical activity and sport

International Relations network