World Aquatics says athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete under their national flags and anthems in its competitions.
The federation said its “Guidelines for Athlete Participation in Aquatics Competitions During Political Conflict” will no longer apply to adult athletes from the two countries.
The decision covers all disciplines, including swimming, water polo, and diving. Athletes will still be required to undergo multiple rounds of anti-doping testing overseen by the International Testing Agency, along with additional checks by an independent body within the federation.
Ukrainian athletes have opposed the move. The Ukrainian water polo team withdrew from a match against Russia, resulting in a technical defeat.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee and many sports federations imposed restrictions on Russian athletes, leading some to change sporting citizenship.
Since 2023, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been allowed to compete in aquatic sports only under a neutral flag.
