Ten Basketball Federations, Including Latvia, Warn FIBA Against Allowing Russia and Belarus
The Latvian Basketball Association, together with nine other national federations, has sent an open letter to FIBA expressing strong opposition to the return of Russian and Belarusian teams under their national symbols, threatening to boycott matches against them.
Ten basketball federations from Northern Europe, the Baltics, and Poland have united to voice their common stance against the potential re-admission of Russia and Belarus to FIBA competitions. In an open letter signed by leaders from Latvia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine, they emphasize that the participation of these aggressor nations with their flags, anthems, and national symbols is unacceptable as long as the war against Ukraine continues.
The letter specifically references the upcoming U23 3x3 Basketball World Cup in China this September, but notes that the position applies to all international tournaments. While FIBA has not yet made a final decision, the signatories state they do not rule out withdrawing from games against Russia and Belarus, and may take other appropriate actions in line with their national policies and principles.
Kaspars Cipruss, Secretary General of the Latvian Basketball Association, stated on social media that the federations' resolve has not wavered in the four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He highlighted that Ukrainian athletes, coaches, and sports organizations continue to suffer from the war's consequences, and that the international sports community must defend core values of respect, responsibility, and solidarity. Cipruss added that the stance is not just words but a clear readiness to act.
The letter was signed by the presidents of all three Baltic basketball federations (for Latvia, by Raimonds Vējonis), as well as the heads of the Nordic federations (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland), and the federations of Poland and Ukraine. The Lithuanian men's U23 3x3 team, as defending champions, has already qualified for the World Cup final. The federations call on FIBA to uphold principles and prevent aggressor nations from returning to the sports arena.
