The strengthening of sport and nationalism in Lithuania despite Soviet influence

Abstract

Upon the annex of Lithuania as a Soviet state, the Soviet Union imposed an order on Lithuanian athletic figures to represent the Soviet Union. Lithuanian athletes would now be obligated to represent the Soviet Union in all international sporting events in which they competed. The international success of Soviet Athletes, which did not exclude Lithuanians, was immense. This strength shown through athletes was meant to bolster the image of Soviet citizens as a unit, but by strengthening athletes in Lithuania, pride and nationalism grew in the small Baltic republic as Lithuanians became proud of their flag despite the Soviet Occupation.