Overview
- World Aquatics, which announced the shift Monday, lifted its wartime restrictions on adult Russian and Belarusian competitors.
- The governing body also restored full federation membership for Russia and Belarus under its constitution.
- Athletes from both countries can now compete in national uniforms with their flags and anthems.
- Eligibility requires at least four consecutive anti-doping tests run with the International Testing Agency plus background checks.
- Hours after the change, Ukraine’s team refused to play Russia (listed as Neutral Athlete B) at a World Cup Division 2 match in Malta, and the sports ministry condemned the decision as legitimizing aggression, citing more than 650 Ukrainian athletes lost to the war.