FINA Opposes Blanket Ban on Russian Athletes; Will be Evaluated Case-by-Case

by Sarah Berman 30

March 08th, 2022 Europe, International

On Tuesday, FINA denounced Russia invading Ukraine, and opposed a blanket ban on all athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus. FINA maintained their stance that Russian and Belarusian athletes can only compete in a neutral capacity. 

The FINA bureau passed a new bylaw stating that the governing body has the power to review the participation of athletes and officials on a case-by-case basis in emergency situations, such as the current situation unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. 

According to the new rule, FINA can prevent any athlete or official from attending an upcoming FINA event if the person’s attendance threatens the wellbeing or safety of the other athletes, or the competition as a whole. FINA will review all of its calendar events before making decisions to suspend specific athletes, teams, and officials.

The FINA bureau also discussed increasing collaboration with the International Testing Agency (ITA) to ensure that measures are in place to continue out-of-competition anti-doping controls in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine during this time. 

FINA expressed its support of the Ukrainian aquatics community, including joint financial assistance with European Aquatics (LEN), which will be led by LEN President Antonio da Silva.

FINA’s decision comes on the heels of an incident that happened during a gymnastics World Cup competition on Saturday in Doha, Qatar. Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak wore a “Z” taped to his uniform while standing next to Ukrainian Illia Kovtun on the podium as Kovtun received a gold medal and Kuliak received a bronze medal. The “Z” has become a symbol of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has been spotted on Russian military vehicles participating in the invasion. The symbol has now spread to being used by people who support the operation. 

The situation in the Ukraine continues to escalate and impact the swimming community. Mykhailo Romanchuk, a Ukrainian Olympic swimmer, posted a picture on his Instagram story that he identified as damage to the roof of his training pool. 

This follows news from last week when Ukranian National Swimming Team coach Aiyna Morozova was trapped in rubble for two hours post-missile attack.

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Ron
2 years ago

Sad to see FINA support the war against Ukraine and killing of women and children –

Xman
2 years ago

I feel like a comparison to the boycott Of South Africa during Apartheid may be good.

In Anything that involves international competition – aka its a national federation sending athletes and that is what is being represented I feel that Russia should be banned, or Europe (and America) should refuse to participate. iMessage needs to be clear we will not interact with your country or include it in our global order if they do not honor the sovereignty of Europe.

I have no issues with Russian athletes competing in meets that are not representing a country.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Xman
2 years ago

Yeah, but just look at what happens to athletes refusing to compete with Israeli athletes. It’s not that dissimilar.

I was on board with banning all Russian athletes years ago because of the whole “systematic doping” thing, and I can get on-board with not hosting events in Russia. But idk, specifically targeting Russian athletes starts to feel icky. (Like, we’ve seen random Russian nationals expelled from specific organizations, which just feels xenophobic.)

RCP
2 years ago

At the very least, ROC relays should be banned. Relays are team events, which effectively recognize the collective nationality of their members. Such action eviscerates and makes a mockery of the ban.

boknows34
2 years ago

2025 World Championships in Kazan should be stripped immediately and be replaced by Doha (thus cancelling the Jan 2024 championships).

Snarky
2 years ago

FINA = spineless

Last edited 2 years ago by Snarky
NB1
2 years ago

you need to press where it hurts and triggers a favorable response to ending the war. I would invite every Russian athlete abroad to watch REAL NEWS 12 hours a day, go back and tell their brainwashed peers what REALLY is happening in Ukraine

Michael Lawrence
2 years ago

Another gutless attempt to appear Solomonic. Unsurprising, of course.

Last edited 2 years ago by Michael Lawrence
Mako
2 years ago

Maybe it’s time for other countries to boycott the competitions that Russians and Belarus athletes compete in.

Last edited 2 years ago by Mako