European Aquatics: World Aquatics Guidelines Allow Neutral Athletes In Continental Events
European Aquatics has released a statement saying that new World Aquatics guidelines allowing Russia and Belarus to compete in team events also extends to continental competitions.
This would see them eligible to enter the likes of the European Championships in Paris next year in the pool as well as in water polo although they haven’t qualified for the continental meet in the latter which take place in January and February 2026.
The European Short Course Championships are less than a month away with Lublin, Poland, set to host the event from 2-7 December.
A statement read: “The European Aquatics Bureau was informed on November 5 that the World Aquatics (AQUA) Bureau has approved changes to the guidelines for Athlete Participation in World Aquatics Events During Periods of Conflict.
“Neutral athletes are now eligible to participate in all water polo competitions and team events, in addition to individual events. Furthermore, the AQUA guidelines have now been extended to all Continental-level events, in addition to any World Aquatics event or qualifying competition for the World Championships and/or the Olympic Games, across all disciplines and age categories.
“This decision will apply immediately.
“With reference to the upcoming European Short Course Swimming Championships, to be held in Lublin from December 2-7, European Aquatics and the local organising committee are studying the new AQUA rules and a statement will be made soon. Teams from Russia and Belarus did not qualify for the European Water Polo Championships (men and women) taking place in January/February 2026.”
Otylia Jędrzejczak, President of the Polish Federation, told the national state news agency PAP that she was the only EA member who opposed the decision in an online vote to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in all international competitions under a neutral flag following the request from World Aquatics.
“I explained our current situation, that Lublin is very close to the border with Ukraine, where a war is raging. We have many refugees here,” Jędrzejczak said, but “everyone on the board except me voted in favour of implementing these measures.”
European Aquatics state that a “statement will be made soon” regarding the short-course Europeans once the rules have been studied.
World Aquatics opened the door for neutral athletes to compete in relays at their events from November 2024. The world governing body had initially banned Russia and Belarus in March 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.