Russians, Belarusians Allowed Back Into Swimming Events
Russian and Belarusian swimmers will be permitted to take part in international competitions as neutrals following a decision by World Aquatics, the global swimming federation, to lift the current ban.The swimmers had been excluded from competition since Russia's invasion of Ukraine 18 months ago. "Following extensive consultation and deliberations", World Aquatics decided "unanimously" on a set of criteria allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to "participate in future World Aquatics competitions as neutral individual athletes", the federation said in a statement. This position is consistent with the IOC's recommendation, made in the spring, to reintegrate Russians and Belarusians into world sport under certain conditions, including that of the neutral flag, and as long as the athletes have not actively supported the war in Ukraine.
