The Olympic committees of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania expressed concern over the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow young athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in competitions, as reported by the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOC).
Last week, the IOC recommended allowing youth teams and representatives of individual sports from Russia and Belarus to compete — with the symbols of their countries. Despite the IOC's recommendations, the final decision remains with the sports federations, with the recommendations applying only to youth teams, while previously imposed restrictions remain in place for all adult teams and representatives of individual sports.
The LOC notes that the IOC's recommendations have raised concerns, stating that athletes have a "fundamental right to access sport worldwide and to participate in competitions, free from political interference or pressure from state institutions."
Reaffirming their full commitment to the Olympic movement and its mission to inspire youth through sport, the Olympic committees of the Baltic states emphasize that "trust in Olympism is inextricably linked to the consistent defense of peace, human dignity, and adherence to international law."
The Olympic committees of the Baltic states note that political neutrality should in no way replace moral responsibility.
In their letter, the Baltic states' committees urged the IOC to maintain and strictly enforce existing restrictions prohibiting athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing with national symbols, to guarantee protection for those who refuse to compete against Russians and Belarusians, and to pay closer attention to neutral athletes and the process of obtaining this status.
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