Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT announced on Monday that it will not broadcast the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games, aligning with similar decisions from public broadcasters in Latvia, Estonia, and Finland. This decision stems from solidarity against the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes following their controversial inclusion in the upcoming Games. LRT’s Deputy Director Gytis Oganauskas stated that allowing these athletes to compete under their national flags contradicts the principles of international sports ethics, especially in light of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Previously, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the International Paralympic Committee barred athletes from Russia and Belarus from the 2022 Paralympic Games. However, after two years, a controversial ruling granted Russian and Belarusian athletes the right to participate in the Paris Summer Paralympics as neutral athletes. The recent decision to permit six Russian and four Belarusian athletes to compete at the Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games under their national flags has faced significant backlash, leading to a broader outcry among various stakeholders in the sports community.

In total, 665 athletes are set to compete in the Paralympic Games, vying for a total of 79 medals. The decision by Lithuanian LRT emphasizes the ongoing tensions and discussions surrounding the inclusion of athletes from nations involved in international conflicts, highlighting the complexities of sports governance. The stance taken by LRT may influence other broadcasters and raise questions about the role of national sentiment in international sporting events.