Russian and Belarusian athletes will be able to compete in World Aquatics events with their respective uniforms, flags and anthems, the sport’s governing body announced this Monday (13).
Competitors from both countries were banned from international sporting events following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which was launched in part from Belarusian territory.
A small number of athletes from both countries have been allowed to compete in various disciplines at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but only as neutral athletes and not as representatives of their nations.
The next World Aquatics Championships, which include swimming, artistic swimming, diving, high diving, open water swimming and water polo, will be held in Budapest in 2027.
World Aquatics reported that more than 700 anti-doping tests were carried out on Russian and Belarusian athletes. The entity stated that they will only be cleared to compete after passing at least four consecutive anti-doping controls and completing background checks.
“Over the past three years, World Aquatics and the AQIU (Aquatic Integrity Unit) have successfully helped ensure that conflicts are kept out of sporting competition venues,” World Aquatics Chairman Husain Al Musallam said in a statement.
“We are determined to ensure that swimming pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition.”
The entity also reported that Russia and Belarus will resume their full membership rights.
Russian Sports Minister and head of the Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the decision, saying it will allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete on equal terms with others.
Russian state news agency RIA quoted Dmitry Mazepin, head of the national water sports federation, as saying that Russia could now bid to host future world and European water sports championships.
