Newsletters
World Aquatics has lifted all participation restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus, allowing them to compete in international events under their national flags, uniforms, and anthems, making it the first major Olympic sport federation to fully reinstate both countries at the senior level since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The governing body's Bureau made the decision on April 13 in consultation with the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) and the World Aquatics Athletes' Committee, ending the "Guidelines for Athlete Participation in Aquatics Events During a Period of Political Conflict" that had applied to senior athletes from both countries.
"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 federation said in a statement.
Russia and Belarus were initially excluded from international aquatics competitions after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Since September 2023, athletes from both countries have been permitted to compete, first as neutral individuals under strict conditions, then as neutral teams.
In 2024, neutral athletes were also allowed to form swimming relays, synchronized diving pairs, and artistic swimming duets. By 2025, neutral athletes began competing in water polo teams as well.
Russia and Belarus have also had their full membership rights restored under Article 6 of the World Aquatics Constitution, the federation said.
Russia's Aquatic Sports Federation President Dmitry Mazepin had led a sustained lobbying effort to end Russia's sporting neutrality ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, including meeting with World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam. The Moscow Times reported that Russia's sports minister, Mikhail Degtyarev, welcomed the decision.
The reinstatement is not unconditional. Russian and Belarusian athletes must still pass at least four consecutive anti-doping tests conducted by the International Testing Agency (ITA) and complete background checks by the AQIU before being eligible to compete.
More than 700 screenings have been conducted on athletes from both countries since 2023, according to the federation.
Russia's history with doping has long shadowed its athletes on the international stage. Since 2016, Russian athletes have faced various restrictions on national flags and anthems, initially due to a state-sponsored doping scandal and later because of the war in Ukraine.
The decision places World Aquatics at odds with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In December 2025, the IOC recommended lifting restrictions for junior competitions but maintaining neutral status for adults.
At the 2026 Winter Games, Russian and Belarusian athletes competed as Individual Neutral Athletes. Razom UA World Aquatics' move goes beyond that recommendation and sets a precedent among IOC-recognized federations.
Until this decision, the International Judo Federation had been the largest federation to allow direct Russian and Belarusian participation, having done so in November 2025.
World Athletics, under President Sebastian Coe, has remained firm in its decision to keep athletes from both countries out of international competition.
The decision applies only to World Aquatics events such as the world championships, but analysts say it could add momentum within the Olympic world for a full return of Russian athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam said the organization aims to keep politics out of sporting arenas. "We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition," he said.
The International Paralympic Committee had also allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own national flags at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina in February.
Ukraine's Ministry of Youth and Sports called the decision a legitimization of aggression. The Ukrainian Swimming Federation had previously refused to compete against Russian athletes even under a neutral designation.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
