The World Swimming Federation World Aquatics opens the door for Russian and Belarusian athletes.
After extensive deliberations, the federation decided on a set of criteria that would allow water sports enthusiasts to return from Russia and Belarus as neutral athletes World Aquatics with.
No anthems, no flags
To the “strict criteria”, which were drawn up by a task force installed by the Presidium, count accordingly: no active support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, no playing of the anthems, no presentation of the national flags and certain anti-doping measures. In addition, only one athlete from Russia and Belarus may start in a competition.
The world governing body also reported a survey of elite, junior and masters athletes, according to which 76 percent would support the participation of Russians and Belarusians as neutral athletes while complying with strict criteria.
Still banned from launching in Japan
At the most recent swimming world championships in Fukuoka, Japan, the start of Russians and Belarusians was not yet allowed. However, World Aquatics has supported the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee for re-integration into world sport at an early stage.
Germany’s swimming star Florian Wellbrock saw this development critically. “Now the political situation between Russia and Ukraine hasn’t changed at all and all of a sudden there’s this reversal.”the open water Olympic champion said in mid-July: “I see that as a problem and I can’t understand it.”