Finland joins boycott over World Aquatics Russia, Belarus decision

The Nordic country has said it will not host international championships while the governing body continues to allow athletes from both to compete, joining Norway and Poland as tensions escalate.

Members of the Nordic Swimming Federation contacted by Reuters have also distanced themselves from World Aquatics' earlier decision this month to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition with full honours. The move marks a reversal of earlier restrictions introduced after Russia's 2022 war of Ukraine, when athletes from the two countries were largely restricted to neutral status.

Further talks among federation members are scheduled for Monday. The group includes representatives from Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.

World Aquatics has permitted Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in its events in their national uniforms, with flags and anthems, since 14 April, and confirmed that both countries would regain full membership rights. The dispute has exposed a widening divide between Nordic and Baltic federations and World Aquatics over the conditions for Russian and Belarusian participation.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been barred from international sport since Russia's war of Ukraine in February 2022, which was launched in part from Belarusian territory. Norway and Poland have already said they will not host international championships as long as World Aquatics allows athletes from the two countries to compete.

The Finnish Swimming Federation (Aquatics Finland) said international sport carries important ethical responsibilities, including solidarity with Ukrainian athletes who continue to compete under difficult conditions.

"Aquatics Finland has decided that it will not apply to host international aquatics championships for as long as the war continues," President Ville Riekkinen said in a statement to Reuters, adding it would not invite athletes or teams affiliated with Russia or Belarus, nor clubs affiliated with these countries, to domestic events.

While other Nordic countries have stopped short of formal boycotts, many have expressed opposition to World Aquatics’ decision. The Danish Swimming Federation said it disagreed with the ruling, but noted the issue was largely theoretical for Denmark, as it currently lacks the funding and facilities to host a European Championship.

"Decisions of this nature are significant and require thorough discussion within the Danish Federation before any ⁠position is formally adopted," it said in a statement to Reuters.

The Swedish Swimming Federation said it respected Norway's decision earlier this week but had not yet taken a position of its own, noting the issue was largely hypothetical as Sweden is not planning to host future events.

Further south, the Lithuanian aquatics federation expressed deep concern over the reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian athletes, telling Reuters it was consulting public institutions and would not comment on future hosting plans until those discussions conclude. The Estonian Swimming Federation also said it did not support the decision and would discuss the matter on Monday with other members of the Nordic Swimming Federation.

The broader disagreement highlights growing political and sporting tensions across Europe, with Nordic and Baltic countries taking a harder line compared with more cautious or constrained responses elsewhere on the continent, including concerns over funding and hosting capacity.

The dispute also raises the prospect of fewer bids from parts of Europe for future World Aquatics events if divisions deepen further. World Aquatics told Reuters in a statement earlier this week that it "remains determined to ensure that pools and open water remain places where athletes from all nations can come together in peaceful competition".