Swimming federation lifts all restrictions on Russians, Belarusians

Melike Pala

World Aquatics has lifted participation restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus, permitting them to compete in worldwide competitions below their nationwide flags, an official assertion mentioned on Monday.

The governing physique mentioned its Bureau determined, in session with the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) and the World Aquatics Athletes’ Committee, that earlier “Guidelines for Athlete Participation in Aquatics Events During a Period of Political Conflict” will now not apply to senior athletes from each international locations.

“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,” the assertion mentioned.

World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam mentioned the group goals to maintain political tensions outdoors sporting arenas, including that aquatics occasions ought to stay an area for “peaceful competition” amongst all nations.

The federation mentioned greater than 700 screenings had been carried out on Russian and Belarusian athletes since 2023, after they had been allowed to compete solely as impartial athletes below strict situations.

Teams from each international locations had been later additionally permitted to take part below impartial designation.

Under the revised coverage, Russian and Belarusian athletes will nonetheless be required to move at the very least 4 consecutive anti-doping assessments carried out with the International Testing Agency (ITA) and full background checks by the AQIU earlier than being eligible to compete.

Russia and Belarus have additionally had their full membership rights restored below Article 6 of the World Aquatics Constitution, the federation added.