World Aquatics Reverses Ban, Allows Russian Athletes to Compete Under Own Flag

World Aquatics has voted to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition under their own flags and anthems, a sweeping reversal of sanctions imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The decision, announced by World Aquatics president Husain al-Musallam, marks the first time since the war began that swimmers from those nations will compete without neutrality restrictions.

The ruling immediately drew condemnation from Ukrainian athletes. Vladyslav Heraskevych, a skeleton sledding star who was disqualified from the Winter Olympics after wearing a helmet commemorating Ukraine’s war effort, called the decision “unacceptable and disgraceful.”

“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 like Evgeny Rylov, who participated in a pro-Putin rally at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium in 2022 wearing a ‘Z’ symbol on his chest. “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,” he said.

Russia welcomed the news. Dmitry Mazepin, head of the Russian Aquatics Federation, said athletes had been insulted by competing as neutral athletes without their anthem. “This decision will be welcomed by the athletes,” he said.

The timing proved particularly charged. On the same day World Aquatics announced its decision, Ukraine’s water polo players staged a boycott during a World Cup match against a Russian team that was already competing under neutral status. It marked the first time a Russian team had participated in an international team sport since the 2022 invasion.

The ruling adds momentum to Russia’s campaign to return to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Judo’s governing body took a similar step last year, and the International Olympic Committee has recommended removing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes for international youth events.

World Aquatics maintained that its decision reflects a commitment to keeping competition accessible. “We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition,” al-Musallam said in a statement.

The decision puts additional pressure on the IOC, which required Russian athletes to compete as neutrals at the Winter Olympics in February while the International Paralympic Committee took a different approach and allowed Russians to compete under their own flag and anthem at the March Games. The question of whether Russia will compete at Los Angeles 2028 remains one of the most contentious issues in global sport.