Germany will boycott the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, which begin on June 18 and last until July 3, in case Russian and Belarusian athletes are allowed to participate at the event, even if they do so under “neutral flags.” Earlier, the Swiss announced the same intention.
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“The German Swimming Federation e.V. (DSV) cannot participate in the World Championships in Budapest if the world federation FINA allows Russian and Belarusian athletes’ participation, even under a neutral flag is not the right sign at the moment,” said DSV president Marco Troll in reaction to the German Press Agency (DPA). As he explained, “The federation has contacted FINA directly and made this position clear.
As DSV, we have also initiated obtaining a mood survey this week on the participation conditions of other European federations. With the result, we will then also approach FINA through the European Swimming Federation (LEN) as the European swimming community. We hope that we, as Europe, are strong enough to change FINA’s current position,”
Troll continued. The Swiss Swimming Federation has already announced their intention to boycott the World Championships, which will be held from June 18 to July 3 in the Hungarian capital, if Russian or Belarusian athletes are actually allowed to participate.
featured image via Zoltán Balogh/MTI