A Russian women’s water polo team has defeated Argentina 33–11 during a competition in Malta. This victory marks the first time Russia has participated under its national flag and anthem at a major international event since 2022, following World Aquatics’ decision to lift all restrictions imposed on the country and Belarus due to the Ukraine conflict.
The federation announced that senior athletes with Russian or Belarusian sport nationality will compete in World Aquatics events using their respective uniforms, flags, and anthems. This move comes after a year of gradual easing of restrictions since 2024, with full implementation occurring this month.
Ukraine’s men’s team withdrew from the competition in protest of the ruling. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Kiev and its allies, while EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef condemned it as a “grave mistake,” stating that the bloc would not accept this normalization.
The move follows broader efforts by international sports bodies to restore participation rights for Russian athletes under neutral status or with national flags, though such allowances have been limited in scope. The International Sambo Federation recently permitted similar participation for Russian and Belarusian athletes. Russian officials have repeatedly accused Western nations of politicizing sport and adhering to double standards.
