The secretary-general of the Lithuanian sports federation, Asta Narmontene, said that an official message from the International Paralympic Committee has not yet arrived, and Lithuania does not support the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Paralympics in any form. Together with other countries, the Lithuanian side has appealed to the IPC for clarifications, but concrete answers have not been received.
We are truly disappointed. LPAK and all Lithuanian athletes are categorically opposed to Russia’s and Belarus’s participation in the Paralympic Games in any form. We have done and continue to do everything to ensure that aggressor countries are not at the Games. We are working together with Latvians, Estonians, Ukrainians, however, unfortunately, the news is unfavourable
– Asta Narmontene
IPC decision and Lithuania’s reaction
According to the head of LPAK, it was previously known that there would be no representatives from Russia and Belarus at the Milan-Cortina Games. But the situation changed after athletes from these countries appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, she added.
Narmontene explained that the decision became possible thanks to the vote of IPC member countries – decisions are made democratically, but governments that care about the situation in Ukraine around the world proved to be insufficient. She added that the IPC is a separate body from the IOC, and key decisions are taken by the votes of the participating countries.
As reported by the International Paralympic Committee, six Russian and four Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Paralympics in Milan-Cortina under national flags.
Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called it a shame to permit Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Paralympics.