The Ukrainian Diving Federation and the Artistic Swimming Federation of Ukraine express their profound disappointment and strongly condemn World Aquatics’ decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to international competitions under their national flags, national uniforms, and with their national anthems.
This decision is unacceptable and profoundly unfair to Ukrainian athletes, who have been living and training under the conditions of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine for more than four years.
Ukrainian athletes do not—and cannot—have equal training conditions with representatives of the aggressor states.
Every day, our athletes:
● lose family members, friends, coaches, and teammates as a result of Russia’s aggression;
● lose their homes, many of which have been destroyed or damaged;
● lose training facilities, swimming pools, and sports infrastructure damaged by Russian missiles and drones;
● are forced to interrupt training sessions because of air raid alerts and missile attacks;
● train in bomb shelters or in swimming pools operating under constant disruptions due to power outages and ongoing security threats;
● live under continuous psychological pressure, fearing for their own lives and the lives of their loved ones.
For Ukrainian athletes, war is not an abstract concept or a political debate.
It is their daily reality.
It is impossible to speak about “equal conditions” when one side prepares in safety, enjoys full access to sports infrastructure, state support, and a peaceful life, while the other wakes up to air raid sirens almost every night.
We categorically reject the idea that representatives of countries waging war against Ukraine should once again appear on the international stage under their national flags, representing states whose actions continue to take the lives of innocent Ukrainians every day.
It is particularly painful and cynical that this decision has been made at a time when Ukrainian athletes continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience, dignity, and dedication to sport despite the war. They compete not only for medals, but also to show the world that Ukraine lives, fights, and will not surrender.
We call on World Aquatics, the entire international sporting community, and all national federations to reconsider this decision.
Allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national symbols is not a step towards unity in sport. It sends the message that aggression, destruction, and the loss of human lives can simply be ignored.
Sport cannot exist without moral principles. Without justice, there can be no fair competition. And without remembering those who have lost their lives, there can be no genuine respect for the Olympic values.
We call for the current restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national symbols to remain in force until Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has ended and a just and lasting peace has been restored.