(Geneva) Russian swimmers will be able to compete in individual events at upcoming international competitions, including the Paris Olympics, if they meet “strict criteria,” including a ban on talking to the media.
This is what the World Aquatics Federation (formerly named FINA) announced on Monday. Russian and Belarusian athletes, as well as their coaches and officials from these two countries, will be able to take part in events under neutral banners after being banned due to the invasion of Ukraine.
The criteria follow the guidelines of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Russian and Belarusian teams remain excluded. Athletes will not be able to publicly support the invasion.
The federation has indeed stipulated that only one athlete from each country concerned can participate in each event. The two nations will therefore not have representatives in relays, artistic swimming, synchronized diving and water polo.
Swimmer Evgeny Rylov could therefore be ruled out since the double gold medalist at the Tokyo Games was suspended last year. He wore a pro-war symbol “Z” at a pro-invasion rally at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
At this time, the time required to complete this verification process has not been determined.
Athletes will have to go through the regular qualification process to participate in the Olympics. The competition schedule includes three World Cup stops in October in Berlin, Athens and Budapest as well as the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in February 2024.
World Aquatics is the latest federation to take a stand on the situation of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The IOC initially called for the athletes to be banned in the days following the start of the war, but since softened its stance in December.
“Despite the challenges we face on the international stage, we recognize our responsibility to provide a competitive, fair and inclusive environment for all athletes,” World Aquatics President Husain al Musallam said in a statement.
Thus, athletes who show “discriminatory behavior” towards Russians and Belarusians will face disciplinary action.