Lithuania’s sports community has called on political leaders and government institutions to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions held in the country, citing national security and solidarity with Ukraine.
The appeal was sent to the president, the speaker of the Seimas, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Seimas Commission for Youth and Sports Affairs. Dozens of athletes and representatives of sports organisations signed the document.
“In view of Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine and the systematic efforts of international sports federations to return representatives of the aggressor countries to the international arena, we urge responsible state institutions to urgently seek legal possibilities to ban athletes from these countries from competitions held in Lithuania,” the appeal said.
The sports community argued that national federations’ principled positions alone are insufficient to prevent the spread of “soft power” by Russia and Belarus through sport.
“Lithuanian sports organisations often become hostages of international pressure, lacking a firm legal basis to refuse to host representatives of the aggressor countries,” the document said.
The community called for the spring session of the Seimas to prepare and adopt amendments to the Law on Sport or other relevant legislation, clearly prohibiting Russian and Belarusian teams and individual athletes, including those competing under a neutral flag, from participating in competitions hosted in Lithuania.
The appeal suggested following Latvia’s example, which has already enacted a legislative ban. According to the Lithuanian sports representatives, a formal law would protect national federations from accusations of personal or organisational discrimination and provide a clear national security rationale.
“Sport cannot be detached from the political context. In democratic states, the participation of athletes from aggressor countries is used for propaganda. Lithuania’s position must be united and uncompromising,” the appeal said. “Political will and close cooperation between the Ministries of Education, Science and Sport and Foreign Affairs will allow for prompt adoption of the proposed decisions, protecting the prestige of Lithuanian sport and expressing firm solidarity with Ukraine.”
The community also pledged to assist with drafting legislation, participating in working groups, and providing all necessary information to speed up the process.
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