Lithuanian Sports University warned over discrimination after coach’s remarks about student

The Lithuanian Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson’s Office has issued a warning to the Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) for failing to ensure a safe environment after a student was allegedly discriminated against by basketball coach Ramūnas Butautas, LRT reports.

Gvidas Liutkus, a 23-year-old sports management student, filed a complaint after Butautas reportedly called him a “nelaimingas sutrius” (unfortunate wreck) and a “senas žmogus” (old man) during a team tryout, then barred him from joining the university’s basketball team. Liutkus claims he was rejected due to his age, despite LSU’s website stating that all basketball-loving students are welcome to play for its teams.

The ombudsperson’s office found insufficient objective evidence to confirm that Liutkus was excluded solely because of his age or study program. However, it determined that LSU had violated equal opportunity principles by failing to prevent bullying, issuing a formal warning to the university.

Liutkus told BNS he had not received an apology from LSU, despite raising the issue with Rector Diana Rėklaitienė. “I demand an apology from the university for how I was treated,” he said. “What I want most is accountability, because this behavior is unacceptable.” He added that he no longer wished to play for the team due to the “overheated atmosphere” but planned to appeal the ombudsperson’s decision and, if necessary, take legal action.

LSU stated it does not tolerate discrimination based on age, gender, religion, ethnicity, or other personal characteristics, though it did not explain why Liutkus was not accepted into the team.