Overview
- World Aquatics, which voted Monday, lifted neutral-status rules and will let senior Russian and Belarusian athletes use national uniforms, flags and anthems at its events.
- Athletes gain clearance only after at least four consecutive anti-doping tests overseen by the International Testing Agency and background checks, following more than 700 screenings.
- Ukraine’s government condemned the ruling as unacceptable, and the men’s national water polo team forfeited a World Cup match in Malta against a Russian side, resulting in a 5-0 default loss.
- Nordic swimming federations led by Estonia said they will not host World Aquatics competitions under the current policy, though their athletes will keep competing abroad.
- World Aquatics also restored full membership rights for Russia and Belarus, which Russian officials welcomed as a path to bid for future events, a shift that could influence debate before Budapest 2027 and the LA 2028 Games.