Renewed push for Olympic membership

Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen has sent out a press release in a bid to persuade the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the Faroe Islands are worthy of Olympic recognition.

The press release reads as follows:

“We have just witnessed a very successful 32nd Olympics in Tokyo. The Faroese perspective is clear. The IOC should allow Faroese athletes to represent their own flag at the Olympics. 

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Katrin Olsen in Beijing. Pál Joensen in London and Rio. And now Sverri Sandberg Nielsen and Johan á Plógv Hansen at the Tokyo Olympics.

They all grew up in the Faroe Islands – they all came close to the pinnacle of their own sport. The last two finished fourth in single sculler rowing and second in men’s handball respectively.

The Faroe Islands now regularly produce athletes of Olympic standard, which adds weight to the argument that they should be able to represent their home country at the Olympics. 

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The Faroe Islands have independent participation in many other sporting events. Our standards are high and in some cases at world class level. The IOC really need to rethink their policy and allow our athletes to represent their own flag. 

The Faroe Islands is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee and has participated in every Paralympics since 1984 with great success. UEFA membership became reality in 1990, with FIFA membership following shortly after.

It is time for the Faroese flag to finally appear at the Olympics.”

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

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