Lithuania is hosting an international rowing competition this summer but local officials find themselves in a tough spot: the international federation has allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate. This would go very much against the local sentiment.
In early August, the best young rovers from across the globe will be competing in Galvė Lake in Trakai where Lithuania is hosting the U19 World Championships.
The Lithuanian Rowing Federation was informed last week by the International Rowing Federation that athletes from Russia and Belarus were allowed to participate in the championship under a neutral flag.
Given Lithuania’s firm support of Ukraine and sentiment against everything to do with Russia and its ally Belarus, this is seen as a problem.
“It was unexpected for us because a year ago, Russia and Belarus were not allowed to participate in the World Junior and Youth Championships under a neutral flag,” says Mindaugas Griškonis, president of the Rowing Federation. “The position of the Lithuanian Rowing Federation is strict and firm that Russia and Belarus should not be allowed to participate in Lithuania.”
Griškonis says he raised the issue with the president of the International Rowing Federation last weekend in Switzerland.
“We described to him the whole situation in our country. We came with a letter written by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and argued that our country does not want to admit Russian and Belarusian athletes,” he says.
Moreover, Lithuania has national sanctions in place and has suspended visa issuance to Russian and Belarusian citizens.
“Russian and Belarusian athletes will definitely not get visas from the Lithuanian state. However, there are other European countries, such as Hungary, that issue visas for Russian and Belarusian athletes. They can come to our country with a Schengen visa,” notes Griškonis.
He says he even approached the Russian federation officials in Switzerland, imploring them not to come.
“The representatives of the Russian Federation were at the congress and I personally went and asked them not to come to Lithuania and not to take part in the world championships,” he says.
However, the decision is ultimately with the international federation.
“If the international federation decides to accept them, we cannot do otherwise because the international federation makes the decisions, not us. If they are accredited and they come, we can’t just lock them up. I do not even know how to deal with this situation,” says the president of the Lithuanian Rowing Federation.
Poland, the host of the U23 Youth Championship, is in a similar situation and is also refusing to admit Russians and Belarusians. However, it is already clear that they will take part in the adult championships which will be held in Shanghai, China.
Griškonis expects a decision from the international federation this week. The U19 World Championships will take place in Trakai between 6–10 August.
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