Ukraine Asks to Compete on Own

On the same day the Soviet Olympic Committee said Ukraine will compete on a unified Soviet team at the Winter Games in Albertville, France, in February, Ukraine asked the International Olympic Committee to allow it to participate independently.

The appeal cited the fact that 15 countries, including Canada and Great Britain, had recognized Ukraine after the Soviet republic’s overwhelming vote for independence Dec. 1.

Participating on Soviet teams, Ukrainians have won 400 medals, including 177 golds, since 1952.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were readmitted to international basketball by FIBA, the game’s international governing body. The vote clears the way for the Baltic states to enter the European qualifying tournament for the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Four of the starters for the 1988 Soviet team that won the gold medal in Seoul are Lithuanian. Sarunas Marciulionis plays for the Golden State Warriors.