Ukraine condemns World Aquatics' decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their flags
Ukraine's Ministry of Youth and Sports has condemned a decision by the International Swimming Federation (World Aquatics) to permit athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags.
Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Youth and Sports
Quote from Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi: "Sport should unite people around fair rules and respect for life. The return of the flag of a country that disregards these rules and is systematically destroying them is an alarming signal for the entire sporting community."
Details: The ministry stressed that this decision devalues the memory of the more than 650 Ukrainian athletes who will never compete again because of Russia's armed aggression.
Quote: "Today, our athletes train under attacks, and against this backdrop, any talk of 'neutrality' or the return of the aggressor's national symbols appears shameful and detached from reality. We call on the international community not to become complicit in legitimising aggression through the sporting achievements of athletes who are in fact part of Russia's propaganda machine."
Background:
- On 13 April, Ukraine was scheduled to play against "Neutral Athletes B", a team composed of Russian water polo players. This would have been the first team sport match between Ukraine and Russia since 2022.
- However, the Ukrainian athletes refused to take part in the match and were consequently handed a technical defeat.
- On the same day, World Aquatics announced the lifting of all sanctions against Russia and Belarus. From now on, athletes from both countries will compete in aquatic sports with full rights.
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