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LatviaPublished: 20 July 2026 at 13:36

To the Olympics without state funding? Government evades answer

Latvian athletes are prohibited from using state funding for competitions involving athletes from Russia and Belarus, but the government avoids clarifying whether this means they must self-fund their participation in the Olympic Games.

Foto: LSM (rus)

Latvian athletes face uncertainty regarding state support for Olympic participation. As Russia and Belarus return to international competitions, the list of sports they are involved in expands weekly. Consequently, Latvia has banned the use of public funds for athletes to compete in events where athletes from these aggressor states are present.

However, the government continues to evade a clear response on whether this ban applies to the Olympic Games. If so, Latvian athletes would have to seek private funding or cover travel expenses themselves. This situation raises concerns about the ability to participate in major sporting events without state financial backing.

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