The Bureau of the International Swimming Federation has decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions under the auspices of the organization. True, they will only be able to perform in a neutral status.
The press service of the organization notes that it conducted a survey, during which 67% of respondents were in favor of allowing Russians and Belarusians to participate in international competitions. However, there are certain criteria, for example, the lack of support for the special operation, as well as the flags and anthems of the two countries.
Previously, Russian swimmers could not take part in international competitions at all.
Recall that on March 23, 2023, the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, supported the return of Russian athletes in a neutral status. He stressed that the Russians continue to perform in a number of sports around the world. On March 28, the IOC recommended that international federations allow Russians to start who did not support the special operation to protect Donbass. Such athletes, according to Thomas Bach, will be able to compete as neutral athletes. For Russian athletes, this status remains the only one possible at international competitions.
In Russia, they condemned the interference of politicians in the affairs of athletes. The Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin said earlier that attempts to dictate the conditions for the participation of athletes in international competitions are unacceptable. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the recommendations issued by the IOC xenophobic and nationalistic, and warned that such practices of discrimination based on views risk spreading to other areas of life over time.
