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Today, UNI Europa showed support for the #ChanceToCompete campaign and urged affiliates to raise awareness on this issue. ​

In June 2014, two prominent Dutch speed skaters, Mark Tuitert (Olympic Champion 1500 m) and Niels Kerstholt (World Champion short track) started an important European test case that will affect all professional athletes.

They filed a competition law complaint against the International Skating Union (ISU) with the European Commission. Mark and Niels allege that the ISU violates the EU competition rules by preventing skaters from participating in events that are not organized and promoted by the federation. If skaters would participate in independent, out-of-season events they can expect to be banned for life from all ISU competitions. This would put an end to their sporting career.​

#ChanceToCompete is a campaign designed to raise awareness of the plight of Mark Tuitert and Niels Kerstholt and thousands of other athletes across Europe.

Every athlete deserves justice, every athlete deserves equality, every athlete deserves their #ChanceToCompete.