Latvia Basketball Association President Raimonds Vejonis Resigns from FIBA 3×3 Commission in Protest

Raimonds Vejonis, the president of the Latvia Basketball Association (LBS), has officially resigned from the FIBA 3×3 Commission. The move serves as a principled protest against the governing body’s decision to lift restrictions on youth athletes from Russia and Belarus, allowing them to return to international competition.

The resignation comes in the wake of a decision by the FIBA Central Board on April 23, 2026, which granted exceptional authorization for U21 teams from both nations to participate in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League events scheduled for China, and Malaysia. Vejonis informed FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis of his departure the following day, April 24.

A Conflict of Ethics and Procedure

For Vejonis, the issue is twofold: the moral implications of the decision and a perceived failure in the organization’s internal governance. While the return of athletes from aggressor states is the primary catalyst, Vejonis specifically highlighted a breakdown in democratic procedures within FIBA.

In a letter detailing his resignation, Vejonis noted that the decision to readmit the U21 teams was made without prior discussion or review by the FIBA 3×3 Commission. By bypassing the very commission tasked with overseeing the discipline, Vejonis argues that the Central Board ignored essential internal protocols.

“Following the decision taken yesterday by the FIBA Central Board regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian U-21 3×3 basketball teams in the FIBA Nations League, and taking into account that this issue was not considered in the relevant commission, I have made the decision to resign from my position in the FIBA 3×3 commission,” Vejonis stated.

The Influence of the IOC

The FIBA Central Board’s shift in policy did not happen in a vacuum. The decision followed recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to remove restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in youth competitions. This move marks a significant pivot for FIBA, which had previously maintained stricter barriers since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

While the U21 teams have been granted this exceptional access for the Nations League, the status of other Russian and Belarusian teams remains unchanged. The FIBA Central Board has confirmed that their current status will be maintained across all other competitions until the next board meeting, which is scheduled for September 2026.

For those unfamiliar with the structure of these events, the FIBA 3×3 Nations League is a premier global circuit that serves as a critical development path for young players, offering high-visibility competition in major international hubs like China and Malaysia.

Latvia’s Consistent Stance

This resignation is not merely a personal choice by Vejonis but a reflection of the broader policy of the Latvia Basketball Association. Since February 24, 2022, the LBS has remained one of the most vocal opponents of allowing athletes from aggressor states to compete on the world stage.

The LBS has maintained that its opposition is not just a matter of rhetoric but a commitment to action, actively seeking and uniting allies who share the view that sports should not be used to normalize the presence of athletes from nations engaged in aggression.

Vejonis brings a unique weight to this protest. Having served as the President of Latvia from 2015 to 2019 before taking the helm of the LBS in 2020, his departure from the FIBA commission signals a high-level diplomatic rift between one of Europe’s most passionate basketball nations and the sport’s global governing body.

What This Means for the Global Game

Vejonis’s exit marks the first formal reaction from a national federation against this specific policy shift. It underscores a growing tension within international sports: the struggle to balance the “neutrality” of athletics—especially for youth—against the geopolitical realities of war and international sanctions.

As other national federations observe Latvia’s move, the pressure may mount on FIBA to clarify how it will handle the return of athletes and whether the “exceptional authorization” granted to U21 teams will eventually expand to senior levels.

Key Timeline and Checkpoints

• April 23, 2026: FIBA Central Board decides to readmit Russian and Belarusian U21 teams to the 3×3 Nations League.
• April 24, 2026: Raimonds Vejonis officially resigns from the FIBA 3×3 Commission.
• September 2026: The next FIBA Central Board meeting, where the status of other Russian and Belarusian teams will be reviewed.

The basketball world now looks toward September to witness if the “softening” of restrictions will continue or if the pushback from federations like the LBS will force a reconsideration of the current trajectory.

Do you believe youth athletes should be exempt from international sanctions in sports? Share your thoughts in the comments below.