sports
April 15, 2026
IOC comments on Russia’s full reinstatement with World Aquatics
According to the statement, it is up to each International Federation as the sole authority for its international competition to decide on this question
TL;DR
- International sports federations independently decide on the return of national symbols for Russian athletes.
- World Aquatics has lifted all sanctions against Russia and Belarus, allowing athletes to compete under national flags and anthems.
- This decision by World Aquatics allows senior athletes with Russian or Belarusian nationality to compete in World Aquatics events.
- Previously, World Aquatics (then FINA) had barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions in March 2022.
- The IOC recommended in March 2023 that individual athletes from Russia and Belarus be allowed to participate under specific conditions, including neutral status and not actively supporting the special military operation in Ukraine.
- Team events for Russia and Belarus remain banned from international participation.
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