At the same time, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (ŠMSM) urges Lithuanian athletes not to boycott competitions abroad, but not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions held in Lithuania.
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“My personal opinion would be that they should not be allowed into our space and to compete with them,” J. Olekas told journalists on Thursday. “I find such endurance unacceptable, that (restrictions – BNS) last for a long time, then they need to be eased.”
“There are no such changes in Belarus or Russia that would allow us to change the situation. So probably the sports community itself needs to consult among themselves,” noted the Speaker of the Seimas.
He said he hears various opinions: some decide not to accept Russian and Belarusian basketball players, others see easing as additional motivation to show superiority over these athletes.
Thus, J. Olekas spoke after FIBA announced this week the lifting of the ban on basketball players and other basketball personnel from the mentioned countries individually participating in international FIBA competitions.
The decision was made after the International Olympic Committee lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee in July.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (ŠMSM) strongly condemned these decisions on Thursday, emphasizing that “with the war against Ukraine ongoing, such actions do not correspond to reality, undermine fundamental sports values, and send a wrong signal to the world.”
However, understanding the complexity of the situation, the ministry urges Lithuanian athletes not to boycott competitions abroad.
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According to ŠMSM, by withdrawing they would not only risk sanctions but also lose cherished professional ambitions; the withdrawal of Lithuanian athletes from tournaments would also ease the path to victories for representatives of the aggressor countries.
“We support the principle of fighting in the sports arenas followed by Ukrainian athletes as well. However, Lithuania’s principled position remains unchanged – Russian and Belarusian athletes should not participate in any international competitions while the war is ongoing,” the ministry stated.
It does not change its recommendations to national sports federations and organizations not to invite or allow athletes from aggressor countries to competitions held in Lithuania.
If such athletes compete in Lithuania, ŠMSM advises them to submit declarations condemning the war and expressing support for Ukraine, prohibit the display of their country’s flags, symbols, or distinctive signs.
ŠMSM reminds that it has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to amend the Restrictive Measures Act to include a ban on Russian and Belarusian citizens from arriving and participating in sports and scientific events organized in Lithuania.
Also, Lithuania, together with eight other European countries, has appealed to the European Commission, urging to restrict financial and other support to international sports organizations that are lenient towards Russia and Belarus.
FIBA will decide in December whether to allow Russian and Belarusian clubs and national teams to participate in its tournaments.
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