The upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, are set to be a controversial event due to the significant participation of Russian athletes for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A contingent of 27 Russian swimmers has been cleared to compete under strict conditions, including demonstrating no active support for the war against Ukraine and competing under a neutral flag, devoid of any Russian symbols. This marks a departure from the previous stance excluding Russian teams from international competitions like the Paris Olympics.
The inclusion of Russian athletes has sparked significant debate, echoing similar discussions surrounding the Paris Olympics. While individual Russian athletes were permitted to compete in the Olympics under neutral status, subject to approval by individual sports federations, the Russian team as a whole was barred. However, only one Russian swimmer, Evgeny Rylov, ultimately participated in the Olympics. This limited participation was partly due to the Russian Swimming Federation’s criticism of the imposed conditions. Now, a larger number of Russian swimmers, including prominent figures like Evgeniia Chikunova, have accepted the neutral status for the World Championships.
The case of Evgeniia Chikunova highlights the evolving stance of Russian athletes towards the imposed restrictions. Initially critical of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) conditions and vocal about her unwillingness to compete under a neutral flag, Chikunova’s presence on the World Championships entry list signifies a change of heart. Her participation, alongside other Russian swimmers, adds weight to the Russian representation at the championships, raising concerns and sparking debate about the implications of allowing Russian athletes back into international competition.
Chikunova, a 20-year-old breaststroke specialist and world record holder in the long course 200-meter breaststroke, represents a major draw for the championships. Her anticipated duel with American Olympic gold medalist Kate Douglass, who recently broke the short course world record in the same event, promises to be a highlight of the competition. Beyond individual events, the World Championships will also see Russia and Belarus competing in team relays, also under a neutral flag—a decision that has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from the Swedish Swimming Federation.
The Swedish Swimming Federation has voiced strong disapproval of the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian teams in relay events, characterizing it as a ”creeping normalization” of Russia’s presence in international sports. They argue that this decision undermines the principle of neutrality and risks creating an unsafe and uncomfortable competition environment, raising concerns about security issues. This criticism underscores the complex political backdrop against which the World Championships will unfold, highlighting the ongoing tension surrounding the participation of Russian athletes in international sporting events.
The participation of six Ukrainian swimmers in the Championships adds another layer of complexity to the event. Their presence serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the human cost of the war, further intensifying the debate surrounding the inclusion of Russian athletes. The World Aquatics Championships, therefore, are poised to be more than just a sporting event; they will be a stage where political tensions, ethical considerations, and sporting ambitions intersect, creating a charged atmosphere and a highly sensitive global conversation.
