World Aquatics to Allow Russian and Belarusian Athletes to Compete As “Individual Neutral Athletes;” Paris Still Uncertain
In a significant announcement, World Aquatics has decided to welcome Russian and Belarusian athletes back to international swimming competition as neutral athletes. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, most international sporting federations have banned athletes from these two countries. However, World Aquatics has now joined a growing list of organizations that are willing to allow their participation. Despite this development, it is still unclear whether Russian and Belarusian athletes will be able to compete in next summer’s Summer Olympics.
World Aquatics has stated that swimmers and other aquatic sports participants from Russia and Belarus will be designated as “Individual Neutral Athletes.” Only one athlete from each country will be allowed to compete in an event at any World Aquatics competition. This means that the upcoming World Cup tour and the next World Championships will potentially feature Russian and Belarusian athletes. However, it is important to note that they will only be allowed to participate in events where a time or result is established by the performance of a single athlete. This means that team events and relays are excluded. The decision to allow the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes was unanimous among the World Aquatics Bureau.
Uncertainty Surrounding Russian and Belarusian Athletes’ Participation in the Olympics
While World Aquatics has paved the way for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in aquatics-specific events, their status in the Olympic Games remains uncertain. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued recommendations for the return of these athletes to international competition. However, Russia and Belarus were not formally invited to the Paris Games. As of now, the most likely scenario for their participation would be as neutral athletes, without multi-athlete teams in competition. For example, in swimming, the World Championships in February 2024 in Doha could be the final opportunity for relay qualification for the Olympics in Paris.
The decision by World Aquatics to allow the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutral competitors has received support from a majority of athletes. However, there is still opposition from a significant bloc. In February, a group of 35 national Olympic committees, including those from the United States, Russia, and Germany, urged the IOC to fully exclude Russia and Belarus from the Paris Olympics. The debate of inclusion versus exclusion is expected to continue in the months leading up to the Games. Advocates for inclusion argue that neutral athletes should not be punished for their government’s actions, while those in favor of exclusion highlight the politicization of sport, as experienced by top Ukrainian athletes who have been affected by the conflict for over a year.
To read the full announcement from World Aquatics, click here.
