Lithuanian basketball officials have strongly condemned a recent decision by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in international 3×3 basketball competitions, calling the move a “valuable concession” that undermines the principle of excluding nations involved in aggression.
The Lithuanian Basketball Federation (Lietuvos krepšinis) issued a clear statement following FIBA’s announcement that Russian and Belarusian players under the age of 21 would be permitted to register for 3×3 team events in Asia, including participation in the “Nations League” competitions held in China and Malaysia. The federation emphasized that while the decision may not directly affect European tournaments, it sets a dangerous precedent by opening the door for teams from aggressor nations to eventually qualify for global finals held in Europe.
“We firmly oppose the return of aggressor nations to the international community. Although this decision regarding Asian competitions may seem to have no direct impact on European events, our association views it as a valuable concession,” the Lithuanian Basketball Federation stated, as reported by LRT.lt. “There is a risk that if these nations qualify through Asian regional competitions, they could appear in the final stages of the global 3×3 tournaments held in Europe. This would create significant legal and moral contradictions for the majority of our continent’s states.”
The federation further announced its intention to raise the issue at the upcoming FIBA-Europe assembly, scheduled to take place in Iceland in the coming weeks. Lithuanian officials stressed that, given the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, neither Russian nor Belarusian basketball players should be allowed to participate in any official international competitions while the aggression continues.
FIBA’s decision, announced on Thursday, April 24, 2026, permits Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in U21 age-group 3×3 events as part of a broader effort to align with International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommendations aimed at lifting bans on young athletes from the two nations in official Olympic sports. However, FIBA confirmed that the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes remains in place for all other competitions and age groups at least until the FIBA Congress in September 2026.
The Lithuanian Basketball Federation’s stance reflects broader concerns among European sports bodies about the implications of easing restrictions on athletes from nations involved in the war in Ukraine. While FIBA frames the move as a step toward normalizing youth sports participation, critics argue that it risks legitimizing the presence of aggressor states in international arenas before a peaceful resolution to the conflict is achieved.
As of now, no official response has been issued by FIBA regarding the Lithuanian Federation’s criticism. The matter is expected to be discussed at the FIBA-Europe assembly in Iceland, where member national federations will have the opportunity to debate the implications of the current policy.
For ongoing updates on international basketball policies and developments related to athlete eligibility amid geopolitical tensions, readers are encouraged to follow official communications from FIBA and continental basketball federations.
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