Barents Sports is a joint project between Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia for youth between 15-25 years, involving more than 3500 young people every year. The collaboration has been going on officially for 60 years, but unofficially for much longer. Also during the Cold War sporting events and exchanges continued.
The Kirkenes Declaration mentions sports specifically and calls for: "More extensive exchange of youth [...] within the fields of culture and sports."
Main objectives of the Barents Sport
To develop sports cooperation in the Barents Region to an even better tool for:
- An increased exchange of athletes, coaches and managers
- Improving the quality of sport in the region
- fostering tolerance and understanding of cultural similarities and differences among the population in the region
The Executive Committee of Barents Sports coordinates the sporting activities and is composed of two representatives from each country and has its own international secretary.
The Barents Sports Conference is the highest organ of the Barents Sports and is taking place every three years. The conference elects the Executive Committee and decides the strategy for the next period.
Barents Matches (annual competition) are taking place in 12 official sports. Sports are basketball, bowling, wrestling, archery, athletics, orienteering, biathlon, skating, shooting, swimming, cycling and gymnastics.
In addition to the Barents matches, extensive exchange of athletes, managers and coaches on regional and local level is taking place. In 2010 the activities in the Barents Sports gathered more than 3500 youth.