World Aquatics lifts sanctions on Russian and Belarusian swimmers
Kyiv • UNN
The International Aquatics Federation has allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete with flags and anthems. The countries have also regained full membership in the federation.
The International Aquatics Federation (World Aquatics) has lifted sanctions against athletes from Russia and Belarus and given them the green light to participate in aquatic sports competitions, UNN reports with reference to the decision of World Aquatics.
Adult athletes with Belarusian or Russian sports citizenship will be allowed to participate in World Aquatics competitions on an equal footing with their counterparts representing other sports nationalities, in appropriate form, with flags and anthems.
The World Aquatics Bureau previously amended the Guidelines implemented by the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) to allow junior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sports citizenship to participate on the same terms as their counterparts.
Over the past three years, World Aquatics and AQIU have successfully helped ensure that conflicts occur outside of sports venues. We are determined to ensure that pools and open water venues remain places where athletes from all countries can compete peacefully.
The International Federation added that more than 700 checks of athletes with Belarusian or Russian sports citizenship were carried out as part of the application of the Guidelines. Since 2023, athletes with this sports citizenship have participated in competitions as neutral participants, later joined by teams.
In the event of a change in the application of the Guidelines, the World Aquatics Bureau has agreed on key provisions in favor of safe and fair competitions.
Athletes with Belarusian or Russian sports citizenship will be admitted to competitions only after successfully passing at least four consecutive anti-doping checks conducted in partnership with the International Testing Agency (ITA) and a background check by the AQIU - the report says.
World Aquatics added that Russia and Belarus are also restoring full membership rights in accordance with Article 6 of the World Aquatics Federation Charter.