World Aquatics lifts restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing national flag and anthem at competitions ahead of LA 2028 Olympics
Russian swimmers, divers, and water polo athletes will now be allowed to compete under their national flag and anthem after World Aquatics lifted long-standing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian participation.
The governing body announced that it will remove rules requiring athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as neutrals or undergo special eligibility vetting. The policy change marks a significant shift in international aquatic sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after years of restrictions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
World Aquatics initially barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from its events, including world championships, before later allowing limited neutral participation. The new decision fully restores their ability to compete alongside other nations, including the use of national uniforms, flags, and anthems. The organization previously eased restrictions for junior athletes before extending the change to senior competitors.
World Aquatics president Husain Al Musallam said the update reflects a commitment to keeping aquatic sports a place where athletes from all countries can compete together in a peaceful environment.
The move has drawn strong criticism from Ukrainian officials, who condemned the decision as inappropriate given the ongoing war. Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi said returning national symbols to a country engaged in war undermines the principles of fair competition and respect for human life, adding that Ukrainian athletes continue to train under dangerous conditions.
Russia’s sports leadership welcomed the decision, with officials thanking World Aquatics and describing it as part of a broader return to international sporting cooperation.
The change follows similar steps by other sports federations, including judo and taekwondo, which have also reinstated Russian participation in full. Ukraine has previously opposed such moves and has taken protest actions in other sporting events involving Russian competitors.
Under the new policy, Russian and Belarusian athletes will still be required to pass multiple anti-doping tests and background checks before competing, though details of those reviews have not been fully disclosed.
The decision applies only to World Aquatics events, but it could influence wider discussions across international sports as preparations continue for the 2028 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee has not yet responded, though it has previously allowed Russian athletes to compete under neutral designation in senior events while easing restrictions in youth competition.
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