World Aquatics Lifts Russian Flag Ban, Triggering Outrage From Ukrainian Athletes

World Aquatics, the global governing body for swimming, diving, and water polo, has reversed its policy on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their own flags and anthems for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The decision has been met with fierce condemnation from Ukrainian athletes and officials, who have called it “unacceptable and disgraceful.”

The change clears the way for athletes from both nations to return to international competition without the neutral status restrictions that have been in place for three years. World Aquatics president Husain al-Musallam framed the move as a commitment to keeping aquatic sports free from geopolitical conflict. “We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition,” he said in a statement.

Ukrainian skeleton star Vladyslav Heraskevych, who has previously clashed with the International Olympic Committee over wearing a commemorative helmet, called the decision hypocritical. “World Aquatics claims it can keep the conflict away from pools and competition venues,” Heraskevych told the Guardian. “But of course, this does not apply to Ukrainian sports facilities and pools, which are constantly being struck by Russian missiles. It does not apply to Ukrainian athletes, who are also dying in the war unleashed by Russia.”

Heraskevych also pointed to athletes such as Evgeny Rylov, who attended a pro-war rally at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium alongside Vladimir Putin in 2022 wearing a ‘Z’ symbol. “World Aquatics is trying to act as though none of this exists,” he said. “With this decision to restore Russian flags and anthem, they are providing their competition platforms for the spread of Russian propaganda – propaganda that is killing us, Ukrainians.”

Russia’s response was swift and celebratory. Dmitry Mazepin, head of the Russian Aquatics Federation, welcomed the change and noted that Russia had also regained the right to host world and European events. “Competing as a neutral without the Russian anthem playing is an insult,” he said.

The timing is significant: the decision comes as Russia actively campaigns to regain eligibility for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Judo’s governing body made a similar move last year, and World Aquatics’ ruling adds further momentum to Russia’s return to international sport.

On the same day the policy change was announced, Ukraine’s water polo team boycotted a World Cup match against a Russian team operating under neutral status. It marked the first time a Russian team had competed in an international team-sport competition since the war began. The International Olympic Committee is expected to weigh in next, having already recommended in December that restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes be lifted for youth events and that they be permitted to compete under national flags.