Flag, anthem restrictions dropped for Russian, Belarusian swimmers
Al Jazeera·20h ago·Positivity
What Happened
World Aquatics lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian swimmers, allowing them to compete under national flags and anthems at international events. The decision ends bans imposed after Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Athletes must pass four consecutive anti-doping tests. The International Paralympic Committee made a similar decision for the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
Key Entities
World AquaticsRussiaBelarusUkraineHusain al-MusallamInternational Paralympic Committee2026 Winter ParalympicsBudapest 2027 World Swimming Championships