Russian and Belarusian swimmers will be able to compete again at international events without any restrictions, including under their national flag and anthem. The International Swimming Federation (World Aquatics – WA, formerly FINA) announced on Monday that it is canceling the previous ban.
Until now, Russians and Belarusians could start at international swimming events only with a neutral status and under the condition that they do not support the war in Ukraine. After the latest verdict, they can fully return to the competition even with their national symbols.
“Athletes of Belarusian or Russian nationality will be able to compete at World Aquatics events in the same way as their counterparts representing other countries, i.e. also with their respective jerseys, flags and anthems,” WA said in a statement.
The World Federation has already relaxed the rules for junior athletes from Russia and Belarus, the AP agency recalled. “We are committed to ensuring that pools and open water areas remain places where athletes from all countries can compete in safe conditions,” said WA President Husain Al Musallam.
The decision applies to all events under the WA banner, such as the World Championships, but it could provide an impetus for the full return of Russian athletes before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I thank Al Musallam for his firm stance on this issue. We discussed it together back in January. It is very important that the international sports dialogue bears fruit and enables the proper restoration of sports ties,” wrote on the social network the Russian Minister of Sports Mikhail Degťariov, who is also the chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee.
On the contrary, the Ukrainian Minister of Sports, Matviy Bidnyi, condemned the WA verdict: “Sports should unite around fair rules and respect for life. To return the flag to a country that ignores these rules and systematically destroys them is a warning to the entire sports community. Today, our athletes are training under fire, and against this background, any talk about ‘neutrality’ or the return of an aggressor to sports events looks shameful and detached from reality.”
They will be able to compete in pool and long-distance swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming athletes from Russia and Belarus to return after passing at least four doping controls conducted by the International Testing Agency. The Russian and Belarusian federations are once again full members of World Aquatics.
Swimming is not the first sport that has re-integrated Russia into international competitions even with its national symbols. They already took a similar step last November in judo and this January in taekwondo.
