Ukraine condemns World Aquatics' decision to allow Russian and Belarusian national symbols
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 use national symbols.
Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Youth and Sports
Quote from Youth and 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 systematically destroys them is an alarming signal for the entire sporting community."
Details: The ministry stressed that this decision devalues the memory of more than 650 Ukrainian athletes who will never compete again due to Russia's armed aggression.
Bidnyi added: "Today, our athletes train under attacks, and against this backdrop, any talk of 'neutrality' or the return of the aggressor's 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 effect, part of Russia's propaganda machine."
Background:
- On 13 April, Ukraine was scheduled to play against the "Neutral Athletes B" team, composed of Russian water polo players. This match could have been the first since 2022 between Ukraine and Russia in team sports.
- 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 that point on, athletes from both countries will compete in aquatic sports with full rights.
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