I. Ruginienė, a key Lithuanian political figure, expressed her discontent with the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paralympic Games. She had initially planned to travel to support Lithuania's athletes at the Games but has now decided to honor them in Lithuania instead. Ruginienė criticized the IOC, claiming that their decision does not reflect the current reality and highlights the necessity of unity and resilience against provocations in Europe, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In her statements, Ruginienė underscored the importance of standing with Ukraine, emphasizing the need for Europe to respond collectively to these challenges. Her remarks come after the Lithuanian Paralympic Committee also strongly opposed the IOC's allowance of Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate under their flags. The context of this decision is rooted in the past, where such participation was entirely banned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which initially led to a total exclusion from the Games. A partial suspension was later enacted in 2023, allowing athletes to compete only as neutral competitors.

Ruginienė's boycott may have broader implications for international sports and political relations, signaling Lithuania's staunch position against the involvement of Russian and Belarusian athletes in global competitions amid the ongoing conflict. It reflects a growing sentiment among European nations to take a stand against perceived injustices and support Ukraine, which may influence future decisions by sports organizations regarding athlete participation based on geopolitical contexts.