Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the International Olympic Committee’s decision to ease restrictions on Belarusian athletes participating in the Olympic Games and other international competitions.
According to the ministry, a recommendation by the IOC Executive Board urging international sports federations to lift bans on Belarusian athletes paves the way for their participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and other championships.
“It is regrettable that IOC officials, instead of upholding the principles of the Olympic Charter, have succumbed to pressure from Russia and Belarus and made a decision that is unacceptable to us,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry also warned that the move could become a first step toward the broader return of Russian athletes to international sport.
Lithuania said the reasons behind the restrictions imposed in 2022 remain unchanged, stressing that Russia continues its war against Ukraine while Belarus supports Moscow’s actions.
The statement pointed to intensified attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine, as well as the deaths of Ukrainian athletes during the war.
“Lithuania reserves the right, together with Ukraine and other international partners, to take measures to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in international competitions held in Lithuania and the territories of partner countries,” the ministry said.
The Lithuanian National Olympic Committee also criticised the IOC’s decision, calling it disappointing and saying it opens the door for Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions under national symbols.
Restrictions on Russian athletes remain in force under the IOC decision.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been excluded from most international competitions, although some have been allowed to compete under neutral status.\
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