Dear Magda,
The FMJD Executive Board, of which you are a member, has unanimously decided to reinstate Belarus to competition in FMJD events (including their flag and anthem). The only justification you provide is the IOC’s recommendations.
In my opinion, this is an incredibly weak justification. The IOC’s decision on this matter is not LAW. Many federations operate completely differently. My Board suspended the membership rights of Russia and Belarus before the IOC even did so.
One must have their OWN opinion and voice it. For instance, World Athletics and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) maintain their own clear stance on this issue. Sebastian Coe, an outstanding athlete and head of World Athletics, has stated repeatedly that as long as real peace talks do not commence and the aggression against Ukraine does not end, sanctions against Russia and Belarus will not be lifted.
I would strongly request that you explain what has actually changed since 2022? What exactly happened in the case of Belarus that led you to make such a decision unanimously? What is it that not only I, but also Sebastian Coe, am unaware of?
Let me now tell you how this looks from my perspective.
Belarus has indeed changed quite a lot since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Specifically, the country’s constitution has changed. It is no longer a “nuclear-free” country. Tactical nuclear weapons have already been deployed on Belarusian territory (meaning smaller missiles for shorter-range operations—for example, to be launched towards Ukraine or Poland). Are these the changes that the FMJD Board appreciated so highly?
Perhaps there is something I do not know, and I would like to find out. Without this knowledge, my only comment is that I am ashamed of you for failing to see this.
Furthermore, the participation of Belarusian athletes will be illegal! You have no right to admit them to official competitions. Let me remind you—official FMJD competitions are for athletes representing countries that are members of the FMJD. Belarus is still not a member (its rights are suspended), and this is a decision of the FMJD General Assembly (GA) made in Drancy in May 2023. Neither you, nor any member of the FMJD Executive Board, have the authority to overturn a GA decision.
The current FMJD President has demonstrated multiple times that Russia holds an exceptionally close place in his heart, but do you really have to align yourself with that?
To recap:
- 2017: J. Maggi becomes President. Literally right after the election, he travels to St. Petersburg for the World Championships of the IDF federation (the one led by Mr. Langin)—a federation openly operating against the FMJD!
- 2025: J. Maggi becomes FMJD President again. One of the first decisions made is the cancellation of active penalties for players who participated in competitions on Russian territory, which were organized in defiance of IOC guidelines and FMJD requirements.
- January 2026: J. Maggi meets with Ms. T. Tansykkyzhina, a leading figure in Putin’s party in Bashkortostan, who was indefinitely suspended by the previous Board for her open and active support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- June 2026: J. Maggi, along with his Board, UNANIMOUSLY reinstates Belarus’s right to participate in FMJD competitions.
The awareness that you supported these decisions deeply pains me. Please, explain to me WHY?! Do not force me to think poorly of your activities within the FMJD!
