The President of the Latvian Basketball Union, Raimonds Vējonis, has announced his resignation from the FIBA 3×3 Commission in response to a recent decision allowing athletes from Belarus and Russia to participate in youth competitions. This announcement was made on April 24.
In his statement, Vējonis highlighted that the participation of players from these countries had been prohibited following the events of February 24, 2022. However, he noted a subsequent easing of this stance in various countries and organizations.
“This is confirmed by the decision of the FIBA Central Board,” he stated.
The Latvian organization pointed out that the decision to permit representatives from Russia and Belarus was made without prior discussion by the FIBA 3×3 Commission.
“Following the recent decision by the FIBA Central Board regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian U21 teams in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League, and considering that this issue was not discussed by the relevant commission, I have decided to resign from my position as a member of the FIBA 3×3 Commission,” Vējonis wrote in his letter.
On April 23, the FIBA Central Board, responding to a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee to lift restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in youth competitions, granted an exception for the registration of U21 teams to compete in the FIBA 3×3 Nations League, which will take place in China and Malaysia.
Simultaneously, the FIBA Central Board approved the continuation of the current status of Russian and Belarusian teams in all other competitions until the next meeting scheduled for September 2026.
Raimonds Vējonis, President of the Latvian Basketball Union, has resigned from the FIBA 3×3 Commission in protest of the decision to allow Belarusian and Russian teams to compete in youth events. His resignation follows a FIBA ruling that has drawn criticism for bypassing proper discussion protocols.
Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty