World Aquatics to Allow Russia, Belarus to Compete for International locations

The World Aquatics Bureau had previously amended the Guidelines – that are carried out by the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) – to allow junior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality to take part on the identical foundation as their fellow junior athletes.

“Over the last three years, World Aquatics and the AQIU have successfully helped ensure that conflict can be kept outside the sporting competition venues. We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition,” mentioned World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam.

More than 700 screenings have been performed on athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality as a part of the applying of the Guidelines. Individuals with these sport nationalities participated as Neutral Individual Athletes since 2023, later being joined by groups.

While altering the applying of the Guidelines, key provisions have been agreed by the World Aquatics Bureau within the curiosity of protected and truthful competitions.

Athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality will solely be permitted to compete as soon as they’ve efficiently handed not less than 4 successive anti-doping controls carried out in partnership with the International Testing Agency (ITA) and accomplished background checks with the AQIU.

Russia and Belarus now additionally resume full membership rights below Article 6 of the World Aquatics Constitution.