02.01.23

Sky News reports the following;

‘Baltic nations and Poland join calls for Russian athletes to be banned from sporting events. Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Poland have called for athletes from Russia and Belarus to be banned from competing in any sporting events while the war in Ukraine continues. 

The four countries, which border Russia and Belarus, have been strong supporters of Ukraine and among the first to send weapons following Moscow's invasion almost a year ago.

They have expressed fears that they could be threatened by Russia if it is allowed to win in Ukraine. 

Today's statement, issued by Lithuania on behalf of the countries, follows Latvia's announcement yesterday that it would boycott the 2024 Olympics and qualifiers if Russian and Belarusian athletes are included. 

Athletes from Russia and its neighbour Belarus, which aided Moscow's invasion of Ukraine a year ago, have been banned from many international competitions since’.