The message issued by the Olympic officials of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania warns that any relaxation of the use of official symbols of Russia and Belarus in international sports competitions would have a direct impact on the global perception of the impartiality of the Olympic movement. The letter sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as detailed by the news agency that reported the news, emphasizes that allowing flags, anthems or uniforms with reference to these countries in a context characterized by the continuation of the military conflict in Ukraine could become a tool of political propaganda.
According to published information, this reaction from the Baltic leaders came after the Olympic summit in Lausanne, Switzerland, led by IOC President Kirsty Coventry. During the meeting, the possibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes returning to international competitions under their own national emblems was discussed. The media reported that the presidents of the Estonian Olympic Committees, Kersti Kaljulaid; Latvia, Raimonds Lazdins; and Lithuania, Daina Gudzineviciute, officially expressed their critical position in a letter addressed to Coventry.
According to the text published by the media, the letter makes it clear that the three Baltic countries do not agree with any attempt to relax current regulations that prevent Russian and Belarusian representatives from wearing national symbols at international competitions. The leaders noted in the statement that the return of these emblems to sporting events would facilitate “the use of sport as a propaganda tool” and warned of precedents in which both governments used the sporting sector to promote state messages.
The media reported that in the letter, the Baltic leaders emphasized the negative impact that an eventual return of national flags, anthems, colors or uniforms representing Russia and Belarus would have on Olympic neutrality. The Olympic committees of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania expressed fears that this would increase the spread of the respective states’ political agendas and ultimately undermine the international image of impartiality that Olympism seeks to preserve. The statement contained in the statement ensures: “We strongly oppose any measure that allows athletes representing Russia or Belarus to participate under national flags, anthems, colors, uniforms or as team members while the aggression against Ukraine continues.”
According to the news agency, the Baltic leaders justified their rejection by considering that sport has global symbolism and that the inclusion of the state symbols of the two countries involved in the aggression against Ukraine would help normalize the conflict from a sporting perspective. The document emphasizes that only Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to participate as neutrals, a rule that was introduced after the military intervention began in Ukraine and will remain in effect at least until the next Winter Olympics, scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22, 2026.
The media that reported the news emphasized that in their message to the IOC President, the presidents of the Baltic Olympic Committees emphasized the importance of the Olympic movement maintaining its reputation as a promoter of peace, respect for international law and human dignity. The published letter states: “Olympism must be a path of hope, not a means of normalizing or concealing” acts of aggression.
The situation reported by the media is part of the international debate about the future of the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in global competitions. While the current restrictions remain in place, various sports associations are discussing alternatives to reintegration. In this scenario, Baltic leaders are calling for a coherent and sustainable position in the governing bodies of Olympic sports.
Another concern raised is the risk that easing restrictions could undermine the credibility and legitimacy of Olympism in the international arena. The notice warns of possible political use of the national symbols of Russia and Belarus in connection with the games and other tournaments, which, according to the letter, could seriously jeopardize the sports movement’s image as a defender of universal values.
As the news agency explained, the letter sent to the IOC said that preventing the use of national flags, anthems and uniforms is seen as the only way to protect Olympic integrity while armed aggression continues on Ukrainian territory. The leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania conclude that a change in current policy could be interpreted both in the sports media and outside as a tacit acceptance of the conflict situation, which would negatively impact the historical standing of the Olympic Games and its role as a global symbol of peace and international cooperation.
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