Moscow, April 14: World Aquatics has announced the lifting of the ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus. Athletes from both countries can now compete under their national flags and anthems.
In a statement published on its official website, the organization said, “Following a decision by the World Aquatics Bureau, and after consultations with the Aquatics Integrity Unit and the World Aquatics Athletes Committee, the guidelines for athlete participation in aquatics events during political disputes will no longer apply to senior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sports nationality.”
The statement further clarified, “Senior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sports nationality will be allowed to compete in World Aquatics events just like their counterparts representing other sports nationalities, complete with their uniforms, flags, and national anthems.”
However, participation in competitions will only be permitted for athletes of Belarusian or Russian nationality if they successfully pass at least four consecutive anti-doping controls conducted in partnership with the International Testing Agency and complete a background check with the Aquatics Integrity Unit.
The World Aquatics Bureau had previously amended guidelines enforced by the Aquatics Integrity Unit, allowing junior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sports nationality to participate alongside their fellow junior athletes.
World Aquatics President Hussein Al Musallam stated, “Over the past three years, World Aquatics and the Aquatics Integrity Unit have successfully ensured that disputes are kept out of sporting competition venues. We are determined to make sure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all countries can come together for peaceful competition.”
Mikhail Degtyarev, Russia’s Minister of Sports and head of the Russian Olympic Committee, welcomed the decision by World Aquatics.
Degtyarev remarked, “We welcome World Aquatics’ decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in all international aquatic competitions on equal footing with other athletes, in their national uniforms, with their national flags and anthems.”
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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