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#Norway #joins #Poland #refusing #host #Russians #Belarusians #World #Aquatics #events">Norway joins Poland in refusing to host Russians and Belarusians in World Aquatics events The Norwegian Swimming Federation will not host international championships as long as World Aquatics (WA) allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete, the country’s governing body President Cato Bratbakk told Reuters.
The decision marks a deepening rift within the international swimming community after WA lifted neutrality restrictions last week.
“Our position is clear. We will not host any championships as long as Russian and Belarusian senior and junior competitors have full access, entry rights, and are permitted to use their flags and national anthems,” Bratbakk said on Tuesday.
Russian and Belarusian athletes were permitted to compete in WA events with their respective uniforms, flags and anthems since April 14. The global governing body added that Russia and Belarus would resume full membership rights.
Competitors from Russia and Belarus were banned from international sporting events following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which was launched in part from Belarusian territory.
Norway is now seeking a broader regional boycott of hosting duties. “We are scheduled to meet with Nordic colleagues next week, where we hope our position will create momentum against the decision made by World Aquatics,” Bratbakk said.
The move follows a similar stance taken by Poland on Friday. The WA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Published on Apr 21, 2026
The Norwegian Swimming Federation will not host international championships as long as World Aquatics (WA)…
Sports news
#Russian #Belarusian #swimmers #allowed #compete #flag #anthem #restrictions #dropped #World #Aquatics">Russian, Belarusian swimmers to be allowed to compete with flag, anthem after restrictions dropped by World Aquatics
The governing body for international swimming and aquatic sports will allow athletes from Russia to compete without restrictions and with their national flag and anthem.
World Aquatics said on Monday it will remove restrictions which had required Russian and Belarusian athletes to be vetted and to compete under neutral status.
“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,” World Aquatics said in a statement. It had previously relaxed the rules for junior athletes.
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam added, “We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition.”
ALSO READ | TOPS set for overhaul as Sports Minister seeks more focus on high-yielding disciplines
World Aquatics oversees sports like swimming, diving and water polo and is an influential voice in the Olympic movement.
Its decision applies only to its own events, like the world championships, but could add momentum within the Olympic world for a full return of Russian athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the International Olympic Committee.
In December, the IOC recommended removing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes for international youth events and letting them compete under national flags.
The IOC still kept its neutral requirements for senior competitions and Russians, and Belarusians were officially referred to as “Individual Neutral Athletes” at the Winter Olympics in February.
Published on Apr 13, 2026
The governing body for international swimming and aquatic sports will allow athletes from Russia to compete without restrictions and with their national flag and anthem.
World Aquatics said on Monday it will remove restrictions which had required Russian and Belarusian athletes to be vetted and to compete under neutral status.
“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,” World Aquatics said in a statement. It had previously relaxed the rules for junior athletes.
World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam added, “We are determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition.”
ALSO READ | TOPS set for overhaul as Sports Minister seeks more focus on high-yielding disciplines
World Aquatics oversees sports like swimming, diving and water polo and is an influential voice in the Olympic movement.
Its decision applies only to its own events, like the world championships, but could add momentum within the Olympic world for a full return of Russian athletes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the International Olympic Committee.
In December, the IOC recommended removing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes for international youth events and letting them compete under national flags.
The IOC still kept its neutral requirements for senior competitions and Russians, and Belarusians were officially referred to as “Individual Neutral Athletes” at the Winter Olympics in February.
Published on Apr 13, 2026
The governing body for international swimming and aquatic sports will allow athletes from Russia to…