European Aquatics revises Russian and Belarusian participation rules

European Aquatics updated participation procedures for athletes holding Russian or Belarusian passports, following IOC guidance and World Aquatics rules effective from 1 February. Youth and junior athletes will no longer face participation restrictions in either individual or team events at European competitions.

For those non-senior categories, athletes may compete without background checks and under the federation’s usual flag, anthem and uniform protocols, provided their national sport organisations remain in good standing. The announcement gives member federations the revised conditions for entering those athletes.

Senior athletes and their support personnel must still apply for and receive neutral status under the applicable World Aquatics guidelines. Support personnel across youth, junior and senior events follow the process used for the federation’s junior competitions in 2025.