🔻Le Monde reports that the presence of 50 Russian and Belarusian swimmers with a neutral status at the 2026 European Swimming Championships in Saint-Denis, France, was accompanied by protests from Ukrainian sports officials following the decision by the world governing body for aquatic sports to fully reinstate athletes from these two countries to competition.

🔹In these championships, 42 Russian athletes and eight Belarusian athletes are taking part. These 50 athletes, along with Italy, form the largest contingent present at the competitions.

🔹After Russia’s widespread invasion of Ukraine, the world governing body for aquatic sports removed Russian and Belarusian athletes from its competitions. The federation lifted restrictions for youth and junior categories in February 2026 and, on April 13, it abolished all remaining bans against Russian and Belarusian athletes.

🔹However, the European federation of aquatic sports did not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate with their flags and national symbols.

🔹Gilles Sézional, vice president of the European federation of aquatic sports, said: “The president of the world governing body for aquatic sports cannot do whatever he wants.”

🔹Read more details here.