The ongoing power struggles within the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) have escalated, with the IOC (international Olympic Committee) threatening action against Stefka Kostadinova and her team. This could have important repercussions for Bulgaria’s participation in future Olympic events.

Following the contested election on March 19,where Vesela Lecheva challenged Kostadinova’s leadership,the IOC has intervened. A dialog from the IOC, signed by the director of NOC, Olympic Solidarity and Olympism 365, “James,” reiterated concerns initially raised on May 17. The IOC is considering suspending funding to the BOC but has assured that Bulgarian athletes will not be affected.

The IOC’s letter stated, “Now, immediate action must be taken to ensure that you [Лечева] and the newly elected BOC guide will access the official email account of BOC [email protected]to the BOC’s office and to the bank account that received the payments from the Olympic Movement (and in particular from the IOC/Olympic solidarity – the letter said. The SAC and the newly elected guide.”

citing the “uncertainty of the current situation,” the IOC/Olympic Solidarity and the EOC (European Olympic Committee) are poised to halt payments to the BOC, with the exception of direct payments for Olympic scholarships.

The IOC emphasized the importance of cooperation to safeguard the interests of the Olympic Movement and Bulgarian athletes, especially with upcoming events like the European Youth Olympic Festival in Skopje and the Winter Olympic Games in milan.

Reportedly, Vesela Lecheva and members of her Executive Bureau met with daniel Dimevski, chairman of the Olympic Committee of RSMAMACEDONIA, in Skopje. According to the IOC’s May 17 letter, only Lecheva’s team is authorized to receive accreditation for the European Youth Olympic Festival, scheduled for July 20-26.

Kostadinova’s management team responded with a press release highlighting their participation in the Erasmus+European Program in Bucharest on June 12-13. Cristiana Kazandzhieva, a Bulgarian expert from the ACON (Athlete Connect) project, attended the event, engaging in an “Exchange of Good Practices” with representatives from various nations. The BOC (Kostadinova) is identified as a project coordinator funded by the European Commission.