Government of the Republic of Lithuania

03/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/06/2026 03:41

Statement on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games

06-03-2026

Statement on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games

Lithuania condemns the International Paralympic Committee's decision to allow athletes from Russia, the aggressor state, and its ally Belarus to compete at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games under their national flags and symbols, and to grant them individual invitations.

Equally unacceptable is the IPC's ban on Ukrainian athletes wearing clothing that symbolises their country. Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders are non-negotiable. These principles are enshrined in the UN Charter and repeatedly reaffirmed in UN General Assembly resolutions and other international instruments.

Russia's large-scale aggression against Ukraine has raged for more than four years. Ukrainian cities are shelled daily, critical infrastructure is destroyed, and civilians-including children-are killed. This past winter, one of the coldest in memory, millions of Ukrainians survived without heat, electricity, or water, and continue to endure unimaginable hardship.

Russia's deadly attacks have not paused for a single day-neither during the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, nor will they stop for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games. Dozens of Ukrainian athletes and coaches, who could have competed in the Olympics, Paralympics, and World and European Championships, have been killed in Russian shelling or have fallen defending their country. Ukraine's sports infrastructure has been decimated, making preparation for international competitions more challenging than ever.

In full solidarity with Ukraine, its people, and its sporting community, Lithuania demands that the IPC immediately reverse these decisions. Unless this happens, no Lithuanian official will attend the opening or closing ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.

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