World Aquatics allows Russians, Belarusians to compete in events as neutral athletes

MOSCOW. Sept 5 (Interfax) - Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete as neutral participants in World Aquatics events, the sport's governing body said on its website on Monday.

"Following extensive consultation and deliberations, the World Aquatics Bureau today unanimously decided on a set of criteria that would allow aquatics athletes with Russian and Belarusian passports to participate in future World Aquatics competitions as individual neutral athletes," World Aquatics said in a statement.

Only individual athletes from Russia and Belarus, and no teams, will be allowed to take part in competitions where the time and the result are determined by the performance of one athlete.

"A maximum of one individual neutral athlete from Russia and one from Belarus per event will be allowed to compete at World Aquatics competitions," it said.

Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot take part in artistic swimming, or any relays or synchronized diving.

On March 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be allowed to participate in international competitions, but only with a neutral status. The ban on Russian and Belarusian teams' participation in tournaments remains in force.

The participation of Russians and Belarusians athletes in the Olympic Games will be discussed at a later date, IOC President Thomas Bach said.