A substantial part of the identity of countries, nations and peoples is built on participation in sports.1 Athletes and sports teams are identified as coming from or representing a country in international competitions, regional and world championships and the Olympics. Ã land is not a sovereign state but, based on a special international agreement, it is a country recognised in international law as a subject and not merely as an integrated part of Finland like any other Finnish region.
In this paper, the Faroe Islands and a number of other countries and territories will be examined with the purpose of describing the membership opportunities of non-sovereign entities in international sport organisations and events. How and where the Faroe Islands have obtained international sport membership will be identified, plus some reflections on where this has not been achieved. The paper can also be seen as providing an overview of the possibilities that à land has for achieving membership in international sport so that à land athletes and teams may compete under their own flag if and when they so desire.
1 Functional Sovereignty Approach
In the post-Westphalian world of globalism it is common to work with a concept of functional sovereignty, meaning that countries with formal power over a specific policy area are admitted to membership in inter-governmental organisations which are involved in the same field of activity. This is the case with e.g. the Faroese membership of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Among other inter-governmental organisations which use this approach are the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Also the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) could be mentioned as international organisations where the functional approach is employed.
In international relations it is generally understood that non-sovereign but overseas polities will not disrupt territorial integrity by gaining membership in sport organisations in their own right. The support of the so-called metropolitan state is required, which for the Faroe Islands means the agreement of Denmark. When the polity has metropolitan acceptance to membership, most organisations will accept the application.
2 What Is a Country?
In the context of sport organisations, and seen from a Faroese point of view, there has been an ongoing discussion about what is a territory and what is a country. The general understanding of territory is a colony, as can be seen in the process of decolonisation at the United Nations, with its lists of non-self-governing and trust territories. The Faroe Islands have never been on such a list because they have always been considered a country in the Danish Commonwealth (rigsfællesskabet). The Faroes have furthermore a very long parliamentary tradition, which, it is claimed, is the oldest in the world.
Historically, the Faroe Islands have never been fully integrated into Denmark but remained a people and a proper country in the Danish Commonwealth. This is underscored in the most important bilateral treaties, where it is stated that the Faroes and Denmark are equal parties in this commonwealth.2 Access to international cooperation and membership of inter-governmental organisations underscore that the Faroe Islands are recognised as a country in international law and by international governmental bodies. In international law the Faroe Islands are thus a subject of international law.3
3 Compared to the Cook Islands
Free Association is a model developed in the UN decolonisation process as one of the results that can flow from a colonyâs exercising of the right of self- determination. It was created as a middle course between secession and integration. Several former island colonies, like Micronesia and the Cook Islands, are in free association with the former colonial powers â in the two instances mentioned with the United States and New Zealand, respectively.4
Free association provides for, or can lead to, formal sovereignty within the UN decolonisation framework. It has been argued that the Faroe Islands actually enjoy free association with Denmark. By contrast, while geographically separate and to a large degree self-governing, the à land Islands have so far been seen as an autonomous territory. With the achievement of sovereignty, the right to membership in international or regional sport bodies is likely to follow when other practical requirements have been fulfilled.
4 Differing Requirements
There is no common approach to the membership policies of international sport federations regarding non-sovereign polities. The break-down of the Soviet Union shocked the system established after World War II. The aftermath witnessed several secessions, civil wars and secessionist movements, many of which approached inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations in order to obtain membership as a part of their struggle for the restoration of old states or the creation of new ones. This was especially the case for former Soviet republics and Eastern European countries.
Already prior to the breakdown of the Soviet Union, most sport federations were open to polities which met an administrative standard, generally understood to mean an approved local or national body organising competitions according to the accepted rules of regional and/or global sport organisations in the respective field. Some federations, like those for volleyball, handball and table tennis, have kept that practice, while others, like the World Athletics (formerly known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation or IAAF), are only open to countries with a recognised international profile. Others, like basketball, require IOC (Olympic) membership.
5 Comparing à land with the Faroe Islands and Cook Islands
The comparison between the Faroe Islands, Cook Islands and à land in the context of international sports memberships, set forth in the following table, helps to illustrate what is possible. à land has participated in the international Island Games since 1985. It is the only international competition that à land currently participates in. Participation in the International Islands Games does not require sovereignty or statehood.5 The differences between à land and the Faroe Islands are also interesting, even striking, as both are self-governing Nordic polities. To broaden the comparison, the following table also shows memberships acquired by the Cook Islands.
The Faroe Islands have had a long-standing application for membership in the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Even given that the Faroes were eligible for IOC membership prior to the change of rules in 1992 and had submitted the application before that change, the Faroes have not been successful in gaining admission. A resulting complication is that, for example, Faroese swimmers, who can participate in international competitions representing the Faroe Islands, need to be part of the Danish team if they want to participate in the Olympic Games.
While it will be difficult to obtain a full membership of IAAF (World Athletics), it should be possible for the Faroe Islands to obtain membership of Nordic Athletics, as it is up to the member countries to decide. While the Faroe Islands have pushed for Nordic Athletics membership for many years, it has yet to be realised. Nordic Athletics does not have a formalised organisation but rather a Nordic Handbook entitled âRules and Regulations covering the Meetings and Competitions between the Nordic Athletic Federationsâ, which provides the framework for collaboration.6 It is quite clear that the will of the five Nordic states is the decisive factor whether the Faroe Islands, Ã land and Greenland can participate under their own flags in Nordic championships.
6 Concluding Remarks
The Faroe Islands have been an independent country for at least 1200 years and for the last 1000 years as an independent or separate country, first within the Kingdom of Norway and later as part of the Commonwealth of Denmark.
The Faroes have the support of the so-called metropolitan state, Denmark, both when it comes to membership of international sports federations as well as in many inter-governmental organisations. Thus the membership of the Faroe Islands in any particular organisation would not constitute a precedent for secessionist regions as the Faroes already constitute a country in their own right, have metropolitan state acceptance, are located overseas, and will not disrupt the territorial integrity of the state.
When inter-governmental organisations allow certain countries membership, it should be natural for international sport organisations to follow the same approach, as many of them already do. In order to gain membership of additional organisations, such as IAAF, à land and the Faroe Islands would have to enjoy the support of Finland and Denmark, respectively, and underlining that à land and the Faroe Islands are countries and not territories. As concerns participation in Nordic Athletics cooperation, the possibility for the Faroe Islands, Greenland and à land rests on the will of the current participating countries, that is Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
When we look at other continents in the world the openness of non-sovereign polities for membership in sport organisations and events is wider than is generally the case in Europe. The criteria for membership are also different between sports associations, be they regional or global and depending on the type of sport.
If a wish arises from à land to participate as a country in international sports, this article and the accompanying annexes show some clear precedents. Although the membership window in Europe is narrower than in the rest of the world, there are openings and they could be actively pursued. One place to start could be in the specific sports in which à land participates as part of the International Island Games.
The following annexes contain lists of non-sovereign countries which are members of a series of sport organisations. The lists are indicative rather than exhaustive.
Annexes
1
IAAF â world athletics, with 213 member countries and territories at 2010:7
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Anguilla â British Overseas Territory
British Virgin Islands â British Overseas Territory
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Montserrat â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Turks & Caicos Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
US Virgin Islands â organised, unincorporated United States territory
Gibraltar â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macao â special administrative region in China
2
European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO):8
Faroe Islands FAROESE CONFEDERATION OF SPORTS AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Greenland SPORTS CONFEDERATION OF GREENLAND â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
3
IBF (International Badminton Federation):9
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Macau â special administrative region in China
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Norfolk Island â external territory of Australia
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand
Curaçao â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Saint Helena â British Overseas Territory
Falkland Islands â British Overseas Territory
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
French Polynesia â overseas collectivity and an overseas country of the French Republic
Gibraltar â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Greenland â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
4
EBF (European Badminton Federation):10
Gibraltar â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Greenland â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
5
ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation):11
Anguilla â British Overseas Territory
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Bonaire â special municipality of the Netherlands
Cayman Islands â British Overseas Territory
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand.
Curacao â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Falkland Islands â British Overseas Territory
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Micronesia â UN member State in free association with the USA
Guernsey â self-governing British Crown dependency
Greenland â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Gibraltar â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Isle of Man â self-governing British Crown dependency
US Virgin Islands â organised, unincorporated United States territory
British Virgin Islands â British territory
Jersey â self-governing British Crown dependency
Saint Maarten â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Marshall Islands â UN member State in free association with the US
Northern Mariana Islands â unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States
Norfolk Island â external territory of Australia
New Caledonia â overseas territory incorporated by France
Niue â self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Tokelau â dependent territory of New Zealand
Wallis and Futuna â French overseas territory
6
IVBF (International Volleyball Federation) and EVBU (European Volleyball Confederation):12
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Gibraltar â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Greenland â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
7
Asian Volleyball Confederation:13
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand.
Guam â territory of the United States
Marshall Islands â UN member State in free association with the United States
Niue â self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand
Northern Mariana Islands â unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States
Macao â special administrative region in China
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
8
The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (Norceca):14
US Virgin Islands â unincorporated United States territory
Netherlands Antilles â Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Aruba, Bonair and Curaçao, all Dutch territories
Montserrat â British Overseas Territory
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
British Virgin Islands â British territory
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Anguilla â British Overseas Territory
9
Fifa (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and UEFA (Union of European Football Associations):15
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Anguilla â British Overseas Territory
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
British Virgin Islands â British Overseas Territory
Cayman islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand
Curacao â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Gibraltar â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macau â special administrative region in China
Montserrat â British Overseas Territory
New Caledonia â overseas collective owned by France
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States
Turks and Caicos Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
US Virgin Islands â unincorporated United States territory
10
IHF (International Handball Federation) and AHF (Asian Handball Federation):16
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macao â special administrative region in China
11
The European Handball Federation (EHF):17
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
12
North America and the Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC):
British Virgin Islands â British Overseas Territory
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Greenland â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Guadeloupe â overseas department and region of France
Martinique â overseas department and region of France
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
13
Oceania Continent Handball Federation (OCHF):
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Northern Mariana Islands â unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand
Guam â territory of the United States
Marshall Islands â in free association with the United States
New Caledonia â overseas territory of France
14
IPC (International Paralympic Committee):18
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macao â special administrative region in China
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
US Virgin Islands â unincorporated United States territory
15
IJF (International Judo Federation):19
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Aruba (Suspended) â Dutch commonwealth
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand
Curacao â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
French Polynesia â overseas collectivity and an overseas country of the French Republic
Guadeloupe â overseas department and region of France
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macau â special administrative region in China
New Caledonia â overseas territory of France
Niue â self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand
Northern Mariana Islands â unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Réunion â overseas department and region of France
Saint Maarten â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
US Virgin Islands â unincorporated United States territory
16
FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation):20
Anguilla â British Overseas Territory
Aruba â Dutch Commonwealth
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Curacao â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
US Virgin Islands â unincorporated United States territory
British Virgin Islands â British Overseas Territory
Saint Maarten â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Turks and Caicos islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macau â special administrative region in China
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Gibraltar â self-governing British Overseas Territory
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Cook islands â free association with New Zealand
Guam â territory of the United States
Marshall Islands â in free association with the United States
Northern Mariana Islands â unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States
17
FITA (Fédération Internationale de Tir à lâArc):21
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
British Virgin Islands â British Overseas Territory
Curacao â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Falkland Islands â British Overseas Territory
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macau â special administrative region in China
Niue â self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand
Norfolk Islands â external territory of Australia
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth.
US Virgin Islands â unincorporated United States territory
18
European Cycling Union (UEC):22
Faroe Islands, UEC Associate Member (article 6) â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
19
International Golf Federation:23
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Turks and Caicos â self-governing British Overseas Territory
US Virgin Islands â organised, unincorporated United States territory
20
World Sailing Organisation:24
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
British Virgin Islands â British Overseas Territory
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand.
French Polynesia â an overseas collectivity of France
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macau â special administrative region in China
Montserrat â British Overseas Territory
Netherland Antilles (Curacao And St Maarten) â Dutch territories
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Turks and Caicos â self-governing British Overseas Territory
US Virgin Islands â unincorporated United States territory
21
International Tennis Federation:25
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Anguilla â British Overseas Territory
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
British Virgin Islands â British Overseas Territory
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand
Curacao â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macau â special administrative region in China
Marshall Islands â in free association with the United States
Norfolk Islands â external territory of Australia
Northern Mariana Islands â unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
Dutch Antilles (St. Maarten) â constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Turks and Caicos â self-governing British Overseas Territory
US Virgin Islands â unincorporated United States territory
22
International shooting Sports Federations:26
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macau â special administrative region in China
23
International Triathlon:27
American Samoa â unincorporated territory of the United States
Aruba â Dutch commonwealth
Bermuda â self-governing British Overseas Territory
British Virgin Islands â British Overseas Territory
Cayman Islands â self-governing British Overseas Territory
Cook Islands â free association with New Zealand
Faroe Islands â autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark
Guam â territory of the United States
Hong Kong â special administrative region in China
Macau â special administrative region in China
Northern Mariana Islands â unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States
Puerto Rico â unincorporated territory of the United States classified as a commonwealth
For an earlier article on a similar topic, see Bogi Eliasen, âNon-Sovereign Polities and Their Access to the International Communityâ in Sjúrður Skaale (editor), The Right to National Self-Determination. The Faroe Islands and Greenland, Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2004, pp. 179â203.
The Foreign Policy Act of the Faroe Islands, no. 80 of 14 May 2005, on the Conclusion of Agreements under International Law by the Government of the Faroes. The Act is based upon a Treaty between the Government of the Faroes and the Government of Denmark as equivalent Parties; for full text see âhttps://www.government.fo/en/foreign-relations/constitutional-status/the-foreign-policy-actâ. See also Act no. 79 of 12 May 2005 on the Assumption of Matters and Fields of Responsibility by the Faroese Authorities. It is based upon a Treaty between the Government of the Faroes and the Government of Denmark as equivalent Parties; for full text see âhttps://www.government.fo/en/foreign-relations/act-on-assumption-of-fields-of-responsibilityâ. All websites referred to in this article were visited on 20 December 2023.
Gudmundur Alfredsson, âThe Faroese People as a Subject of Public International Lawâ in Føroyskt Lógar Rit â Faroese Law Review, vol. 1, no. 1, January 2001, pp. 45â57.
Gudmundur Alfredsson, A Step in the Decolonisation Process: Free Association, Nasiffik Working Paper No. 1, Nasiffik â Centre for Foreign and Security Policy at Ilisimatusarfik (University of Greenland) and the Danish Institute of International Studies (DIIS), Nuuk, May 2023, 6 pages; available on line at âhttps://www.diis.dk/en/research/a-step-in-the-decolonisation-process-free-associationâ.
For information about the International Island Games Association (IIGA), see their website at âhttps://www.iiga.org/â.
The Rules and Regulations covering the Meetings and Competitions between the Nordic Athletic Federations are available at âhttps://fri.is/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Nordic-Handbook-updated-June-2021.pdfâ.
See âhttps://engso.eu/our-network/members/â.
See âhttps://directory.ittf.com/#/homeâ.
See âhttps://www.fivb.com/en/thefivb/directory/europeanvolleyballconfederationâ and âhttps://www.cev.eu/team/13000-faroe-islandsâ.
See âhttp://www.norceca.net/41%20Affiliated%20Federations/Federation%20Afiliated.htmâ and âhttps://www.fivb.com/en/thefivb/directory/norcecavolleyballconfederationâ.
See âhttps://www.ihf.info/federationsâ and âhttps://www.ihf.info/federationsâ.
See âhttps://www.ihf.info/federationsâ.
See âhttps://www.paralympic.org/teams-npcâ.
See âhttps://www.ijf.org/countriesâ.
See âhttps://www.worldarchery.sport/membersâ.
See âhttps://www.uec.ch/en/national-federationsâ.
See âhttps://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/organisation/governance/world-sailing-membership/â.
See âhttps://triathlon.org/federationsâ.