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FINA allows Russian athletes to compete ‘as neutrals’

FINA also withdrew the order awarded to the Russian president in 2014

MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. The International Swimming Federation (FINA) has allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions under a neutral status, the press service of the organization reported on Tuesday.

"FINA decided that any athletes from Russia or Belarus participating in FINA events may only do as neutrals, competing under the FINA flag and with the FINA anthem, until further notice," the statement said.

FINA also withdrew the order awarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014.

Earlier, FINA cancelled the 2021 World Junior Swimming Championships, which were going to be held in Kazan from August 23 to 28, 2022, as well as the stages of the World Series of synchronized swimming and diving in Kazan. The FINA Men's Water Polo World League men's water polo match between Russia and Greece will not take place in St. Petersburg on March 8. In 2022, Kazan is planned to host the FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships (December 17-22).

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