World Aquatics has informed TASS that Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under a neutral status are prohibited from linking their participation in events to their respective countries. This ban extends to social media, where posting flag emojis is not allowed, the organization announced this week.
Last month, World Aquatics relaxed some of the restrictions imposed after the outbreak of the Russia - Ukraine conflict, allowing Russian athletes to be interviewed by the media during international competitions. This decision marked a shift in major sports policies, enabling neutral - status athletes to engage with the press during federation - organized events, such as the ongoing World Championships in Singapore from July 11 to August 3.
However, despite this new measure, many restrictions remain in place. World Aquatics explained to TASS that "athletes are not allowed to associate their participation in the events with Russia or the Russian Swimming Federation, either before, during, or after the championships". "Posting flag emojis and similar actions will be regarded as linking their participation to a conflict - involved country," it added.
In addition, Russian and Belarusian athletes are explicitly forbidden to comment on any conflict, any nation in conflict, or any subject that would link their participation in the World Championships to a nation in conflict. Around 100 athletes from the two countries are participating in the championships as members of neutral teams A and B.
World Aquatics suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from international events in March 2022. In September 2023, it began to allow individual athletes to return under strict conditions, requiring them to compete under a neutral flag, have no military ties, and refrain from expressing support for the war. Although some restrictions have been lifted, Russian athletes are still excluded from team events and can only compete under a neutral identity, with strict controls on their social media posts.
