Den 4 juli 2024 fattade IFBB-styrelsen ett beslut att ge Ryssland och Vitryssland rätten att tävla i alla IFBB-tävlingar. 
Alla de nordiska länderna: Finland, Sverige, Norge, Danmark och Island samt Lettland skickade ett brev till IFBB-styrelsen och 27 europeiska länder om att 
dessa sex länder inte stöder IFBB-styrelsens beslut. Nedan är brevet i sin ursprungliga form:

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