Latvia bans national teams from playing with Russian and Belarusian athletes on legislative level

Latvian sports teams have been banned from competing with Russian and Belarusian athletes on the legislative level, even if they perform in a neutral status.

As reported by Delfi, according to the amendments to the law adopted by the Seimas (parliament) in the final reading on 1 February, Latvia will be prohibited from organising national competitions in team sports where Russian or Belarusian athletes participate under their flag or in a neutral status. This will apply to competitions for adults, youth and juniors.

The main purpose of the amendments to the law is to confirm Latvia's solidarity with Ukraine and block any attempts by Russia to legitimise its war crimes through the sports sector.

Dāvis Mārtiņš Daugavietis, the chairman of the sports Sub-Commission of the Commission on Education, Culture and Science, explained: "If there is a draw that the Latvian national team must play against Russia or Belarus, international sports organisations must respect Latvian legislation."

At the same time, as the publication notes, the supported version of the law does not regulate the participation of Latvian athletes in the Olympic Games. The decision on participation is made by the Latvian Olympic Committee.