Zagklis shuts down previous talks on Russia and Belarus' return to competitions / News - Basketnews.com

Andreas Zagklis said that there is absolutely no consideration of allowing anything to Russia.

Credit: Žygimantas Vingelis/LKF, BNS Credit Žygimantas Vingelis/LKF, BNS

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis shook the European basketball community by giving his statements to French media outlet L'Equipe about the potential consideration of Russia and Belarus' reintegration into FIBA competitions, starting with a Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Lithuania was one of the countries that had a strictly resistant reaction to such comments, therefore Zagklis initiated a call with the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF).

The head of the FIBA spoke with Lithuanian Basketball Federation's Secretary General Mindaugas Balciunas amidst increased tension.

Balciunas testified that the personally expressed FIBA position calmed him down.

"I explained what kind of storm has arisen because of his [Zagklis'] words," Balciunas told BasketNews following the call. "Andreas tried to justify his words and I realized that there is a storm in a glass. It is clear that Andrei Kirilenko is in all this. Of course, there is the International Olympic Committee (IOC). And, of course, we see certain movements, and also what are the statements of the IOC president.

But Zagklis said that there is absolutely no consideration of allowing anything to Russia. He said that FIBA's decision has been made before the board meeting in April. It's just that the validity of that decision expires. In order to make a new decision, the board will meet again."

Credit FIBA

For some time now, there has been heated debate in the sports world regarding the IOC's deliberations on Russia and Belarus' return to the Olympic Games.

Balciunas says there is no doubt that this IOC position was reflected in the words of Zagklis.

"I think he still has to maneuver between the International Olympic Committee because FIBA gets a lot of money from it. They all portray themselves as diplomats," Balciunas emphasized. "FIBA feels that the decisions it made really did its best so that no one would have any doubts. In fact, looking at what has happened so far, all FIBA's decisions have been in the right direction. Now Zagklis let me understand that it will be exactly the same, only he cannot communicate that."

Balciunas then referred to the International Olympic Committee.

"In general, IOC's position really saddens us. Of course, there are charters, apoliticality and autonomy of sport, which are described in white papers and other documents. IOC is trying to maintain some kind of neutrality, but in my personal perception, this situation is completely different. Nobody even dreamed of such aggression these days in their worst dreams.

When we see this war so close, its scale and its brutality, it is truly unparalleled. We see that Russia uses sports brutally for its propaganda. All this suggests that in this unprecedented situation, there must be an exceptional reaction. We can no longer cover ourselves with documents," Balciunas underlined.

Credit BNS

Andrei Kirilenko is on the FIBA Central Board, and the ex-NBA player is involved in FIBA's decision-making.

However, Balciunas believes that Kirilenko's presence won't affect the confirmation of the final position in April.

"Of course, I think Kirilenko's presence slows down Zagklis from prejudging decisions. Kirilenko can start relying on all kinds of provisions, he can say that the board decisions must be autonomous, neutral, and the like.

But, first of all, Zagklis is a lawyer and a basketball person only afterward, so he understands how to interpret these things," Balciunas stressed.

Credit Teodoras Biliūnas/BNS

IOC also presented the idea of Russian and Belarusian athletes' participation in the Olympic Games under a neutral flag.

Is it possible in basketball now?

"FIBA will definitely be against the Russians participating in the Olympics as neutrals," Balciunas pointed out.

"There is no way that the Russians can participate as neutrals, with a neutral flag. Now, when Russia tries to participate somewhere, it's just that their sports uniforms don't have 'Russia' written on their back, but the colors, design, and identity are Russian. Zagklis said, 'We really can't allow something like this to happen'," Balciunas assured.

"The worst thing is that the Russians have something to rely on. They see precedents in tennis and football. To be honest, I have no idea how teams play with them in football. Then all this brings uncertainty, because at least they have some arguments."

Is it still possible to admit Russia to FIBA basketball?

"Just the word reintegration shakes me," Lithuanian Basketball Federation's Secretary General admitted.

"When you hear about the reintegration of Russians and Belarusians at such a moment, it is difficult to understand psychologically how it is possible to talk about it. ... I really couldn't imagine how, under this political government, Russians and Belarusians could be returned not only to basketball but to normal life, in general. I can't imagine. The existence of this political system needs to end," Balciunas declared.

Credit Irmantas Gelūnas/BNS

"This is at least for decades to come," Balciunas talked about the Lithuania position's timeline to avoid Russia and Belarus.

"To be honest, the generations must change, because, for our generation, it will be a psychological barrier for life. There is no doubt. In that sense, you can never trust such a brutal Russian. Never in your life when Russians act like this," he added.

"I don't even know how it would be possible to accept it psychologically even with a change of government. If you look at Russia over the centuries, it has battled and battled. It seems like it's always a matter of time before they get back into aggressive actions. Imperialist thinking seems to be in their genes," Mindaugas Balciunas concluded.

FIBA banned Russia and Belarus from international competitions on May 18, 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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