World Aquatics lifts ban: Russian and Belarusian flags and anthems to return to pool events

Lausanne: World Aquatics announced on Monday that it has lifted the prohibition on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under their national identities, effectively restoring their right to display flags and play anthems at premier international swimming events.

The reversal marks the end of a restrictive period that began following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While competitors from both nations had been granted neutral status in September 2023, the new directive fully reinstates their national symbols.

Restoration of National Status

The governing body’s bureau reached the decision following deliberations with the World Aquatics athletes' committee and the Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU).

"Following a decision of the World Aquatics bureau, and in consultation with the aquatics integrity unit (AQIU) and the World Aquatics athletes' committee, the guidelines for athlete participation in aquatics events during a period of political conflict will no longer apply to senior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality," the organisation stated. "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."

Anti-Doping Requirements

The path to reinstatement remains contingent upon rigorous testing. World Aquatics specified that Russian and Belarusian competitors must successfully clear a minimum of four consecutive anti-doping examinations before they are authorised to participate.

Husain Al-Musallam, the president of World Aquatics, emphasised the organisation's commitment to maintaining a neutral sporting environment. "Over the last three years, World Aquatics and the AQIU have successfully helped ensure that conflict can be kept outside the sporting competition venues," Al-Musallam said. "We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition."

Alignment with Global Trends

The move aligns World Aquatics with the International Paralympic Committee, which allowed similar national representation during the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan-Cortina.

Mikhail Degtyarev, the Russian Minister of Sport, expressed his approval of the decision, noting that the breakthrough followed a January meeting with Al-Musallam at the Olympic Council of Asia in Tashkent. "We discussed the rights of Russian athletes," Degtyarev remarked via Telegram. "I am grateful to Mr Al-Musallam for his firm stance on the issue. It is very important that the international sport dialogue is bearing fruits and contributing to the systematic restoration of sport ties."

Regional Friction

Despite the administrative reconciliation, geopolitical tensions persist on the field of play. Degtyarev commented on a recent incident in Malta where the Ukrainian water polo team refused to compete against Russia in a World Cup fixture. Following Ukraine’s technical defeat on Monday, the minister suggested the refusal was ultimately detrimental to the Ukrainian athletes.

The global aquatics community now looks toward the 2027 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, which will serve as the first major world championship featuring full Russian and Belarusian national participation since the conflict began.

With inputs from AFP