The Lithuanian water polo team has found themselves drawn into a challenging group for the I Division tournament taking place in Oeiras, Portugal from August 10-16, 2023. They will be competing against teams from Georgia, Poland, Finland, Portugal, and Russia, which has been embroiled in an ongoing war in Ukraine. This situation has raised substantial concerns within the Lithuanian Water Polo Federation regarding the ethics of competing against Russia during such geopolitical tensions.

Mantas Pelakauskas, General Secretary of the Lithuanian Water Polo Federation, has made it clear that they are not willing to engage with the Russian team, emphasizing their stance on not competing against a country deemed an aggressor. The federation will hold a meeting to further discuss the implications of this decision and seek guidance from the Olympic Committee, Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport, as this will impact their funding and future strategy in the sport.

Meanwhile, while Russia and Belarus have been permitted to compete under a neutral flag in other competitions, there has been controversy over their participation in youth events. "World Aquatics" has decided to allow youth teams, including Russia, to compete without restrictions, creating additional tension among nations that have condemned Russian actions. This situation hints at the larger implications of sports being intertwined with politics, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts, and raises questions about the future of international sportsmanship amidst such disputes.