ŠMSM: the decision of the International Olympic Committee does not reflect reality; Lithuania’s position remains unchanged
Lithuania’s Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport does not agree with the latest decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and considers this to be an irresponsible move that does not reflect reality with regard to aggressor states.
“This decision was made at a time when Russia is carrying out brutal attacks against Ukraine on a daily basis, and people are dying every day. The war has not ended, and the situation has not changed; therefore, we see no reason to revoke or relax the IOC recommendations that have been in effect to date.
The provisions of the new Government’s program regarding relations with aggressor countries remain strongly condemnatory; the political course will not be adjusted to accommodate compromises by international sports organisations. The war is in Europe, and this issue in sports directly affects all countries on the Old Continent; therefore, we believe that individual decisions made by countries are unlikely to have a decisive impact on an international scale. We will consider this issue and seek to raise it at the European Union level,” says Raminta Popovienė, Minister of Education, Science, and Sport.
Lithuania’s position remains unchanged, athletes from Russia and Belarus continue to be unwelcome at competitions held in our country. National sports organisations are urged not to invite or allow citizens of aggressor countries, representing their countries, to participate in sports competitions and events held in Lithuania. If athletes from these countries were to participate in the competition, they would first have to sign an official declaration unequivocally condemning the hostilities and expressing support for Ukraine. At international competitions held in Lithuania, athletes from Russia and Belarus would not be allowed to display the flags, symbols, or any distinguishing marks of their countries.
The Ministry also urges the country’s sports federations to continue actively cooperating with foreign partners and to form coalitions of like-minded organisations on the international stage, to ensure that decisions favorable to aggressors are not made in the world of sports.
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