Flag, anthem restrictions dropped for Russian, Belarusian swimmers

The move signals a further easing of restrictions on athletes from the two countries by sports-governing bodies.Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete under their national flags at international swimming and aquatic sports events after the sport’s governing body lifted a ban on their participation.World Aquatics announced the decision on Monday, ending restrictions imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Russian, Belarusian athletes to compete under own flag at Paralympics 2026list 2 of 4Italy opposes Paralympics allowing Russia and Belarus to use flags, anthemslist 3 of 4Ukraine to boycott Paralympic Games ceremony due to Russian participationlist 4 of 4Photos: Winter Olympics 2026 closes after setting ‘a new standard’end of listThe move signalled a further easing of limits on the two countries’ athletes, who have been allowed to compete as neutrals since September 2023.“Following a decision of the World Aquatics bureau, and in consultation with the aquatics integrity unit (AQIU) and the World Aquatics athletes’ committee, the guidelines for athlete participation in aquatics events during a period of political conflict will no longer apply to senior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality,” a World Aquatics statement read.“Senior athletes with Belarusian or Russian sport nationality will be permitted to compete in World Aquatics events in the same way as their counterparts representing other sport nationalities, with their respective uniforms, flags and anthems.”Athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus, which was used as a staging area for attacking Ukraine, will be permitted to compete only after they have successfully passed at least four consecutive anti-doping controls, World Aquatics said.“We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition,” World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam said in a statement.