The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the Sports Committee of Ukraine, and the Federation of Underwater Sports and Activities have appealed to the leadership of the International World Games Association and the International Underwater Sports Federation, requesting that Russian athletes with the so-called ‘neutral’ status be barred from participating in the XII World Games in Chengdu. The relevant appeal is dated June 20.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Grounds for Excluding Russian Athletes
The appeal states that two Russian underwater sports athletes—Ekaterina Mikhailushkina and Alexey Fedkin—have been granted permission to compete under a neutral flag, but they have direct ties to the Central Sports Club of the Army of Russia (CSKA). Evidence of this has been published by the Ministry of Sports, which also emphasized that the coach and head of the delegation, Anastasia Glukhikh, is a member of the same club.
“We urge you to consider and verify the facts presented about these athletes and take measures to exclude Russian agents of hybrid influence, who do not meet the criteria of neutrality, from participating in the World Games to be held in Chengdu.”
Ukraine’s Position on the Participation of Athletes from Aggressor Countries
Ukrainian institutions reminded that according to the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee, athletes from aggressor countries should not participate in international competitions even under neutral status if they have ties to state or military structures. The statement emphasizes that as long as Russian troops, supported by the Belarusian regime, continue the war against Ukraine, representatives of Russia and Belarus must remain outside the international sports movement, regardless of their status.
It is worth noting that in April, Ukraine had already appealed to the International Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation, urging the exclusion of Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova due to her participation in political events and her neutral status.
Additionally, in October, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidny issued a joint statement regarding the inadmissibility of Russia’s return to the international sports arena. This position was a response to statements made by the Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., regarding the future of Russian sports.