Story perspectives

Norway Boycotts Championships Over Russian Athlete Participation

4/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Norwegian Swimming Federation will not host international championships while World Aquatics allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete.
President Cato Bratbakk said the move follows World Aquatics' lifting of neutrality restrictions.
Norway seeks a broader regional boycott and will meet Nordic colleagues next week.
Poland's recent actions mirror the tensions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
World Aquatics has not yet commented on the matter.

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Story summary

The Norwegian Swimming Federation will not host international championships while World Aquatics allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete.
President Cato Bratbakk said the move follows World Aquatics' lifting of neutrality restrictions.
Norway seeks a broader regional boycott and will meet Nordic colleagues next week.
Poland's recent actions mirror the tensions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
World Aquatics has not yet commented on the matter.