World Aquatics has decided to allow Russian and Belarusian swimmers to compete without restrictions and under their own flag. The national anthems of Russia and Belarus are allowed at international competitions organized by World Aquatics. A prerequisite for competing is that swimmers have passed four consecutive doping controls conducted by the International Testing Agency.
Swimmers must still undergo a form of background check, with over 700 such checks on Russian and Belarusian swimmers conducted by the World Aquatics integrity unit in recent years. Russia immediately welcomed the news. The decision came as a shock to the Swedish Swimming Federation, which does not support the decision in any way.
Ukrainian athletes reacted with disbelief to the decision. World Aquatics has previously eased the rules for juniors. Russian and Belarusian swimmers were allowed to compete as neutrals at the World Championships in Doha in February 2024 and in Singapore last summer.
The decision adds further momentum to Russia's bid to be allowed back in time for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Russian and Belarusian athletes are now also permitted to stage world and European events. World Aquatics' decision came on the day that Ukraine's water polo players boycotted a World Cup match against a Russian team competing as neutral athletes.
The tournament is the first time a Russian team has participated in an international team-sport competition since the war began in 2022. In broader sports governance, the International Olympic Committee in December recommended removing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes for international youth events and letting them compete under national flags. The IOC required Russians to compete as neutral athletes at the Winter Olympics in February.
The International Paralympic Committee took a different tack and allowed Russian athletes to compete under their own flag. This decision by World Aquatics follows the IOC's recommendation and contrasts with the IPC's approach, highlighting the varied stances in international sports bodies regarding Russian and Belarusian participation.