Ukrainian federations have called for the reinstatement of sanctions against russia and Belarus in water sports

World Aquatics has decided to lift all sanctions against russian and Belarusian athletes. This allows athletes from russia and Belarus to compete in international tournaments in swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, high-diving and water polo, using their national symbols, kit and anthem.

Previously, similar restrictions at senior level had been fully lifted only in judo and sambo, whilst other international federations had eased sanctions mainly for junior categories. To be eligible, athletes must undergo a background check by the Anti-Doping Integrity Unit (AQIU) and four consecutive anti-doping tests under the supervision of the International Testing Agency (ITA).

At the same time, news emerged of an incident at the Water Polo World Cup in the second division. The Ukrainian national team was awarded a technical defeat (0–5) for refusing to take the field against the russian team. The Ukrainian side faces comprehensive sanctions for boycotting the match, which may include the suspension of national teams in various age categories.

The Ukrainian Diving and Synchronised Swimming Federations have issued a joint statement in which they described World Aquatics’ decision as unacceptable. The statement emphasises the impossibility of ensuring a level playing field between Ukrainian athletes and representatives of russia and Belarus.

“The return of russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags is not a step towards unity in sport. It is a signal that aggression, destruction and death can be ignored.”

"Such a decision is unacceptable and deeply unfair to Ukrainian athletes, who have been living and training under conditions of full-scale war for over four years. For Ukrainian athletes, war is not an abstract concept or a political debate. It is a daily reality. It is impossible to speak of ‘level playing fields’ when one side trains in safe conditions, has access to full infrastructure, state support and a peaceful life, whilst the other wakes up to sirens every night,” the statement reads.

The Ukrainian side emphasises that the return of the national symbols of the aggressor states to the international arena contradicts the moral principles of sport and Olympic values at a time when armed aggression against Ukraine is ongoing.

"We categorically cannot agree that representatives of countries waging war against Ukraine should be allowed to return to the international stage under their own flags, representing states whose actions claim the lives of Ukrainians every day.
 It is particularly painful and cynical that this decision is being taken at a time when Ukrainian athletes continue to demonstrate incredible strength, dignity and dedication to sport, despite the war,” the federations stated.

The federations are calling on World Aquatics and the national federations of other countries to review the approved changes, insisting on maintaining the current restrictions on the participation of russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored and the aggression ceases.

According to representatives of Ukrainian sport, sporting justice cannot be upheld without taking into account the context of the war in which Ukrainian swimmers and divers are forced to compete.

It later emerged that the countries of the Nordic Swimming Federation would not be hosting international competitions involving russians.

This was announced by Erkki Susi, President of the Estonian Swimming Federation, in a comment to the publication Delfi.

The countries of the Nordic Swimming Federation have reacted to the decision to lift sanctions against russians and Belarusians. According to Erki Susi — president of the Estonian Swimming Federation, which currently chairs the umbrella organisation — the Nordic countries will not bid to host international competitions if russians or Belarusians are to take part.

“World Aquatics’ decisions are binding under the European Swimming Federation’s statutes, so they automatically apply to European federations, including Estonia,” explained Susi.

“At the same time, the Nordic swimming federations confirm that, as potential host nations, they do not intend to organise international swimming competitions in the coming years until the current situation and decisions change.”

At the same time, the Nordic countries do not plan to restrict their own swimmers’ participation in international competitions.

The Nordic Swimming Federation is an association of nine national swimming federations: Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Lithuania, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Latvia.

In February 2025, the Netherlands withdrew from hosting the European Para Swimming Championships. The reason was a demand that the organisers allow representatives from russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags.

Source: Suspilne Sport, Suspilne Sport