Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at LEN events “until further notice”, the European governing body has announced.
Neither will any LEN-sanctioned events be held in either country.
The LEN bureau made the announcement on Thursday following the invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict.
Forthcoming events include the European Championships in Rome in August from which – as it stands – the likes of Evgeny Rylov and Kliment Kolesnikov – who between them won all the ROC’s individual medals at Tokyo 2020 – will be excluded.
Rylov, who won double gold in the 100 and 200m backstroke, also took silver with the men’s 4×200 free relay.
Russia finished second in the medal table at last year’s European Championships behind Great Britain with nine golds, five silvers and eight bronzes among an overall haul of 22.
Ilya Shymanovich of Belarus enjoyed a lot of success towards the latter end of 2021 claiming the 100br title at the World Short-Course Championships in Abu Dhabi and double gold at the European showcase in Kazan, Russia.
The European Junior Championships are scheduled for Bucharest, Romania, in July.
A statement read:
“LEN agrees not to invite Russian and Belarusian teams and supports Ukrainian athletes
“LEN strongly condemns the actions of the Russian government supported by Belarus, in its invasion of Ukraine.
“This act of war has shattered the lives of Ukrainian citizens and is totally against the spirit of
sport.“The Bureau of European Aquatics (LEN) met yesterday and decided not to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials to LEN events in response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, until further notice.
“This is in line with recommendations of the International Olympic Committee and aims to
overcome practical conditions related to the decisions of certain countries, as well as to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all athletes.“LEN is committed to continue its work with FINA, the world aquatic governing body, to implement our respective positions and hope for a better future.
“Furthermore:
• LEN will support a concrete humanitarian initiative by the artistic swimming and diving federations of Croatia to host Ukrainian athletes and family members as refugees.
This project, which is supported by FINA, will allow athletes to continue training and representing Ukraine at international events. This initiative is supported by Croatia’s Ministry of Sport and Tourism and hosts will include Zagreb, Zadar, Rijeka, and others.
• No LEN competitions will be staged in, or assigned to, the territories of Russia or Belarus until further notice.”
Fina, please take note for the Worlds
The Russian athletes will be able to make their own Olympic game, they will be able to dope as much as they want and they will win all the medals. Putin will be in heaven.