Berlin (AP) – The Ukrainian swimmer Andrei Goworow (29) considers the measures taken by the world association Fina against Russia to be insufficient.
“The Fina doesn’t do anything because Russians have a lot of influence within the Fina,” Govorov told the “Augsburger Allgemeine” newspaper, citing Vladimir Salnikov, the president of the Russian Swimming Federation, as an example. “I don’t know how much money they’re paying, but the sanctions so far aren’t even sanctions,” Govorov said.
The Russians have been sanctioned since a doping scandal and are only allowed to start under a neutral flag. “So we’re imposing the same sanctions for a war as for doping. What’s the point? I’m preparing a statement to ask the whole swimming community for support that Fina imposes tougher sanctions,” said the world record holder over 50 meters butterfly: “I speak to other well-known swimmers for that. If we stick together, we can force Fina to act.”
In swimming, Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to continue to participate in international competitions of the world association Fina. However, they should only be admitted as neutral athletes or teams. Participation under the name of Russia or Belarus is no longer allowed. At international events, “no national symbols, colors, flags should be shown or anthems played”. Fina will continue to monitor the situation and make further decisions if necessary. The Russian President Vladimir Putin is also deprived of the Fina medal, which he received from the association in 2014.