‘Disgraceful’: anger as World Aquatics allows Russia to compete under flag again

Swimming has become the first Olympic sport to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete without restrictions under their own flag and anthem since 2022, prompting joy in Russia and outrage in Ukraine.

The decision by World Aquatics, which also oversees diving and water polo, adds further momentum to Russia’s bid to be allowed back in time for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.

However, the news was greeted with disbelief by Ukrainian athletes, with the skeleton star Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified from competition after wearing his “helmet of remembrance” during training at the Winter Olympics, telling the Guardian it was “unacceptable and disgraceful”.

Vladyslav Heraskevych was told by the IOC that he could not wear his commemorative helmet and still compete. Photograph: Alina Smutko/Reuters

“World Aquatics claims it can keep the conflict away from pools and competition venues,” he said. “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.

“At the same time, this does not apply to Russian athletes either – those who actively support the war and the occupation of Ukraine. Take, for example, Evgeny Rylov, who as far back as 2022 participated in a rally at Luzhniki [Stadium] alongside Putin, wearing a propagandistic ‘Z’ on his chest.

“World Aquatics is trying to act as though none of this exists. 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. This is unacceptable and disgraceful.”

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes have had to be vetted and to compete under neutral status. However, in a statement, the World Aquatics president, Husain al-Musallam, confirmed the change in policy.

“We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition,” he added.

Russia immediately welcomed the news, with Dmitry Mazepin, the head of the Russian Aquatics Federation, noting that they were now also permitted to stage world and European events. “This decision will be welcomed by the athletes,” he said. “Competing as a neutral without the Russian anthem playing is an insult.”

World Aquatics’ decision came on the day that Ukraine’s water polo players boycotted a World Cup match against a Russian team competing as neutral athletes.

The tournament is the first time a Russian team has participated in an international team-sport competition since the war began in 2022.

All eyes will now be on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who in December recommended removing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes for international youth events and letting them compete under national flags.

While the IOC required Russians to compete as neutral athletes at the Winter Olympics in February, the International Paralympic Committee took a different tack and allowed Russians to compete under their own flag and anthem at their Games in March.