Faroese athletes given Olympic green light

After more than 40 years of campaigning for Olympic recognition, Faroese athletes will finally be allowed to compete in under their own flag in certain disciplines.

The European Olympic Committee (EOC) has allowed Faroese athletes to participate at EOC events, including this year’s European Games and the European Youth Olympic Festival, in sports where the Faroes already have a recognised sport federation.

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This means Faroese athletes will be able to compete under their own flag in archery, badminton, judo and table tennis at the European Games in Minsk in June, and in handball, judo, swimming and volley ball at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Azerbaijan in July.

In addition, the Faroese Confederation of Sports and Olympic Committee (ÍSF), has been invited as an observer at this year’s Games of Small States of Europe, held in Montenegro this summer.

“This is a major breakthrough in our efforts to gain Olympic recognition,” says ÍSF president Elin Heðinsdóttir Joensen. “This motivates us to continue working towards full international recognition.”

Translated by prosa.fo