The Ministry of Education and Science has been informed of the decision of the International Olympic Committee Executive Board on 6 May 2026 to allow the continued participation of Belarusians athletes in international sports competitions.
The Ministry of Education and Science condemns such a decision, which allows the participation of Belarus in international sports events. At a time when Belarus enables Russia in continuing unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine, such a decision contradicts the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and the European model of sports, both of which are grounded on respect for human rights, the principles of international law, the integrity of sports and political neutrality.
The Ministry of Education and Science considers that the inclusion of representatives of aggressor states in international sports competitions poses a significant risk of normalize and indirectly legitimize regimes that systematically violates international law, commits war crimes and continues brutal aggression against a sovereign state. Such a decision Such a decision undermines trust in international sports governance and the consistent adherence to the values of the Olympic Movement.
Both Russia's and its enabler Belarus’s aggression against Ukraine is indisputably blatant violation of the UN Charter. Latvia will continue to provide unwavering support to Ukraine until the full restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. At the same time, the Ministry of Education and Science maintains close and constructive engagement with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, expressing solidarity with Ukraine, including through its approach to participation in international sports events.
At a time when civilians continue to be being killed in Ukraine, civil and critical infrastructure is being systematically destroyed, and war crimes and crimes against humanity are being committed daily, the International Olympic Committee's decision is not morally unjustified and incomputable the core values and spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.