The International Swimming Federation (Fina) finally excluded the Russians and Belarusians from the World Championships in June in Budapest on Wednesday, after having initially authorized their participation in this competition under a neutral flag.
The office of the body took into account an “independent risk assessment” to ban from the Worlds-2022 (June 18-July 3) swimmers and officials from both countries because of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russia, Fina said in a statement.
“Following these decisions, the Fina has been informed by the Russian Swimming Federation of the withdrawal of all Russian swimmers” from its competitions “for the rest of this year”, specifies the organization.
Swimming thus joins the many sports that have excluded Russian athletes from international competitions, from football to athletics, including ice hockey, rugby, badminton, handball, cycling and the Paralympic Winter Games.
Fina has withdrawn the competitions it was supposed to host from Russia
At the beginning of March, the Fina had nevertheless distinguished itself by authorizing Russians and Belarusians to compete as long as they do so under a neutral banner, as in tennis, boxing or judo.
But this position became difficult to hold in the face of protests from other delegations, the Swiss Swimming Federation having for example threatened to boycott the Worlds in the event of Russian and Belarusian participation.
The Fina has also withdrawn from Russia the competitions it was to host, including the Short Course World Championships scheduled for Kazan (December 17-22), and is looking for another host city.
Finally, she opened disciplinary proceedings against the Russian Evgeny Rylov, reigning Olympic champion in the 100m and 200m backstroke, for his “alleged participation in a pro-war rally at the Luzhkini stadium in Moscow”.
Among the headliners of Russian swimming are also Kliment Kolesnikov, Olympic vice-champion in the 100m backstroke and bronze medalist in the 100m freestyle, and Anton Chupkov, 4th in the 200m breaststroke at the Tokyo Olympics.