Latvia Urges EU Unity on Russia/Belarus Olympic Return, Concerns Grow Over 2026 Games

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ongoing efforts to chart a path for the gradual return of athletes from aggressor states Russia and Belarus to competition are facing increasing scrutiny, raising concerns about the future of the Olympic Movement. Latvia’s Olympic Committee (LOK) General Secretary, Raitis Keselis, believes proactive involvement from national governments and a unified regulatory framework – at least at the European Union (EU) level – is essential, given the current divergence in interpretation among member states.

A shadow of uncertainty also hangs over the 2026 Youth Summer Olympic Games in Dakar, with the conditions for participation by athletes from Russia and Belarus remaining unclear. In December of last year, the IOC recommended that sports federations allow young athletes from Russia and Belarus to return to competitions in individual sports, under their national flags.

Speaking with LSM.lv, LOK General Secretary Raitis Keselis emphasized that the organization’s position has not changed. “We still believe that such a decision, regardless of age group, is contrary to the interests of us, Ukraine, and the entire sports community,” he stated.

Currently, LOK does not recommend that sports federations participate in competitions where athletes from aggressor states compete under their national symbols. Keselis acknowledges that this trend is unlikely to change in the near future, making it crucial to find a solution that allows Latvia to express its position without penalizing its athletes.

LOK has not developed a specific action plan in the event of continued decisions favorable to Russia and Belarus.

Seeking Common Principles

Keselis cited the European Championship in futsal as an example, where Slovenia was selected as the host nation to facilitate participation by Belarus. “Our situation is like scattered fence fragments in a green meadow – resources have been invested, we do not recommend our athletes to participate, and we try to convince international organizations that they should not act this way, but elsewhere it happens,” explained the LOK General Secretary.

He believes that EU member states should agree on common principles for organizing competitions and awarding starting rights, based on the system developed by Ukraine for vetting neutral athletes. “It cannot be denied that Notice athletes who genuinely condemn the war. They simply happened to be born in those countries,” Keselis said.

When making decisions, LOK bases its approach on both the criteria of international organizations and Latvia’s national interests.

The strategy aligns with LOK’s recommendations for athletes to comply with regulations to the extent that they maintain the right to compete and avoid sanctions.

“Primarily, we take into account our national interests, because we are directly the Latvian Olympic Committee, and this issue is very important to us,” Keselis added. However, in practice, international organizations often have written rules, while national governments only offer publicly stated opinions, leaving interpretation to individual nations.

LOK clearly communicates its position in discussions with the IOC, emphasizing the historical experience and security aspects of the Baltic region, which international partners do not always understand. Discussions are ongoing, with another meeting planned in the near future, Keselis noted.

“A positive feature is that the IOC perceives our expression of opinion as a normal part of the cooperation process. Of course, we try to explain to them how important the issue of non-participation of aggressor states is in our region, but the IOC looks at the situation globally and argues that it is not a priority in other continents,” Keselis stated.

Preserving the Olympic Spirit

Looking ahead to the 2026 Youth Summer Olympic Games in Dakar, Keselis is confident that a scenario in which athletes from aggressor states compete under their national symbols is unlikely. It is predicted that athletes with neutral status and passports from the respective aggressor states will participate, similar to the Paris and Milan-Cortina Olympics.

“If the global situation and the availability of air transport do not change, a delegation leaders’ seminar is scheduled for early April, where we hope to receive more information on how participation will be ensured, who will participate, in what volumes, and what the conditions will be,” the LOK General Secretary acknowledged.

The uncertain circumstances, however, are not affecting athletes’ daily routines, and preparations continue as usual.

Even if participation is allowed despite various circumstances, LOK would never issue an order to halt work. “Our athletes are preparing and will be in their best shape for the Youth Games as well,” Keselis noted.

Analyzing the Olympic Movement during a time when sports and politics are closely intertwined, Keselis emphasized that the IOC has suspended most novel initiatives to study the current situation. Since last December, national Olympic committees, athletes, and international federations have been asked to express their views on the IOC’s responsibilities and areas that require increased attention.

In the coming months, the IOC will present consolidated findings and recommendations for the next quadrennial period, continuing the course initiated by former President Thomas Bach with the “Olympic Agenda 2020” and “Olympic Agenda 2020+5” initiatives.

“I feel there will also be some result that will answer the question of what the Olympic Movement should actually look like globally in this rather turbulent situation. The Olympic values have not changed – friendship, respect, excellence are universal, and we will try to base ourselves on them,” Keselis added.

He noted that LOK has detailed its priorities, which have already been included in the initial compilation, demonstrating that the work invested has not been in vain.

One of the main proposals is care for athletes and their career development after their professional sports careers. While various educational programs currently address this issue, LOK considers them inadequate and calls for a more effective support system for Olympians.

Keselis also highlights organizational challenges, such as the staging of the Milan-Cortina Olympics in six venues, which dissipated the Olympic atmosphere, turning the quadrennial flagship event into a television product rather than a shared sporting celebration.

“Yes, we are the Latvian Olympic Committee, but we are also the Latvian Olympic Committee. We cannot ignore organizational matters, focusing only on global priorities,” Keselis stated.

The situation underscores the need for a coordinated European response to the complex challenges facing the Olympic Movement. As the IOC continues its deliberations, the LOK remains committed to advocating for a solution that upholds the integrity of the Games and protects the interests of Latvian athletes.

The next key checkpoint will be the delegation leaders’ seminar in early April, where further clarity on the participation conditions for the Dakar Youth Olympic Games is expected. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of this developing story.