Lithuanian Foreign Minister outraged by punishment of Lithuanian athlete for wearing T-shirt with anti-Russian slogan – photos

Kęstutis Budrys. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania on Facebook

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys has defended Lithuanian athlete Kornelija Dūdaitė, who was disqualified for wearing a T-shirt with the text “Make Russia small again” in protest against the participation of Russian athletes.

Source: Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kęstutis Budrys expressed support for Dūdaitė, who was disqualified from competing in Budapest for wearing the T-shirt.

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No one should ever be punished for speaking out against terror and aggression. The aggressor is the one who should be held accountable.

I’m proud of Lithuanians who bravely stand up for freedom and their values in all circumstances. We’ve got your back, Kornelija Dūdaitė! 🇱🇹 pic.twitter.com/E7iChQ1f2s

— Kęstutis Budrys (@BudrysKestutis) December 14, 2024

The athlete decided to do this to protest against the participation of Russian athletes in the  World Championship currently taking place in Budapest (Hungary) under the “neutral” category. Dūdaitė was outraged by how the organisers welcomed the Russians and that Russian state symbols were still used.  

After she was disqualified for refusing to change her shirt, the Lithuanian team decided to leave the competition.  

Quote from Kęstutis Budrys: “No one should ever be punished for speaking out against terror and aggression. The aggressor is the one who should be held accountable. I’m proud of Lithuanians who bravely stand up for freedom and their values in all circumstances.”

Gabrielius Landsbergis, former Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, also supported Dūdaitė.

My fellow Lithuanian Kornelija Dudaitė literally refusing to play by Russia’s rules. 🇱🇹✊️ pic.twitter.com/XDlZT9BOP6

— Gabrielius Landsbergis🇱🇹 (@GLandsbergis) December 14, 2024

Background: 

• Before the Olympic Games in Paris, Hungary called for no suspension of Russian athletes and “not to link “geopolitics” with sports”.
• Earlier this year, Latvian security services questioned a famous athlete over a joke about Russian citizenship.

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