Russian, Belarusian swimmers free to compete under own flag

Competitors from Russia and Belarus had been banned from international competition following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine although since September 2023 they have been allowed to compete as neutrals.

“Following a decision of the World Aquatics bureau, and in consultation with the aquatics integrity unit (AQIU) and the World Aquatics athletes’ committee, the guidelines for athlete participation in aquatics events during a period of political conflict will no longer apply to senior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality,” a World Aquatics statement read.

“Senior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality will be permitted to compete in World Aquatics events in the same way as their counterparts representing other sport nationalities, with their respective uniforms, flags and anthems.”

Russian and Belarusian athletes will only be permitted to compete once they have successfully passed at least four successive anti-doping controls, World Aquatics said.

“Over the last three years, World Aquatics and the AQIU have successfully helped ensure that conflict can be kept outside the sporting competition venues,” World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam said in a statement.

“We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition.”

World Aquatics has followed the International Paralympic Committee which allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own national flags at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina in February.

Russia’s sport minister Mikhail Degtyarev “welcomed” the decision. He said it followed a meeting with Al-Musallam in January at the Olympic Council of Asia in Tashkent.

“We discussed the rights of Russian athletes,” Degtyarev said on Telegram.

“I am grateful to Mr Al-Musallam for his firm stance on the issue.

“It is very important that the international sport dialogue is bearing fruits and contributing to the systematic restauration of sport ties.”

Degtyarev also commented on Ukraine’s refusal to play Russia in a World Cup water polo match in Malta, saying the Ukrainians were hurting themselves after being handed a technical defeat on Monday.

The next world swimming championships will take place in Budapest in 2027.