World Aquatics Lifts Flag Ban for Russian, Belarusian Seniors

World Aquatics, the international governing body for swimming and other aquatic sports, announced on Monday that senior athletes from Russia and Belarus can now compete under their national flags, anthems, and uniforms in its events, ending restrictions imposed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The decision by the World Aquatics Bureau applies to disciplines including swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving. It follows a similar easing of rules for junior athletes from the two countries in February, when neutrality requirements were lifted for those under 18. Previously, Russian and Belarusian competitors had been barred entirely from international events starting in March 2022, then allowed to participate as individual neutrals from September 2023. Under the neutral status, they could not display national symbols and were limited in some team events.

The policy shift comes after consultations with the Aquatics Integrity Unit and the World Aquatics Athletes' Committee. To qualify, athletes must pass at least four successive anti-doping tests conducted by the International Testing Agency and undergo background checks by...