Lithuania calls Russian Olympic participation a 'red line,' urges EU ban

Lithuania is calling on the European Union to take a unified stance against the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sports events. Asta Skaisgirytė, a senior advisor to the Lithuanian president, stated that allowing athletes from these countries to compete under their flags would be a "red line" and an "insult" to Ukraine and its supporters.

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This would be a complete red line.

Skaisgirytė noted that some individuals within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other sports organizations may not be pro-Russian but fail to see the issue with Russia's participation, especially when financial interests are involved. She emphasized the need for concerted effort to achieve EU unity on this matter, acknowledging that member states hold varying opinions on Russia.

The comments follow the IOC's preliminary decision to lift the disqualification of the Russian Olympic Committee and remove recommendations for strict vetting of Russian athletes. This move, made before the qualification period for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, has drawn criticism from the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee. Its president, Daina Gudzinevičiūtė, called the decision ill-timed and disappointing.

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When some, unfortunately, find it difficult to give up this factor. However, of course, the participation of Russian, as well as Belarusian athletes, with their flags would be, I would say, a slap in the face to warring Ukraine and Ukraine's supporters.

Earlier, the IOC had suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in 2023 for incorporating sports organizations from occupied Ukrainian territories. Lithuania's appointed Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, has called for EU member states to agree not to host sports events featuring Russian and Belarusian representation.

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It is not a secret that individual EU countries sometimes have a stricter, sometimes a milder opinion regarding Russia. By uniting EU countries, this can be achieved.