World Aquatics has restored full membership rights to Belarus and Russia and allowed Belarusian and Russian athletes to compete under their national flags.
“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“, the organization said in a press release.
World Aquatics had previously allowed athletes from Belarus and Russia to participate in youth competitions under standard conditions.
Organization head Husain Al Musallam said competitions should remain places where athletes of all nationalities come together for peaceful rivalry.
Since 2023, Belarusian and Russian athletes had been allowed to compete in World Aquatics events as neutral individual athletes. From January 2026, the federation allowed athletes from Belarus and Russia to take part in team competitions.
To be eligible for competition, Belarusian and Russian athletes must undergo at least four consecutive anti-doping tests and checks by the Aquatics Integrity Unit.
