Ukrainians in Greece urge World Aquatics to bar Russian athletes in future events

The Association of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece, “Ukrainian-Hellenic Thought”, has called on the international swimming federation, World Aquatics, to prevent Russian athletes from competing in any future international events.

“With great interest, I followed the recent World Swimming Championships […]. However, I felt a deep sense of confusion and disappointment as I watched Russian athletes participate in the competition,” said the organization’s president, Halyna Maslyuk, in a statement.

This year’s championships took place from July 28 to Aug. 3 in Singapore.

The letter highlights that Russia continues its aggressive war against Ukraine and commits daily war crimes, with civilians and children among the victims.

The participation of athletes from the aggressor country, the signatories argue, undermines the moral foundations of sport and reinforces a sense of impunity for the Russian government.

“Sports must remain a space for peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and justice, and it is our duty to protect these values,” the letter reads.

The Ukrainian Greek organization condemned the federation’s decision to admit Russian athletes and urged the global sports community to speak out in support of Ukraine.

“The global community, as well as the world of sports, must send a clear message against violence, oppression, and the loss of innocent lives,” the letter reads.

Previously, the Ukrainian World Congress also called for measures against Russian aggression at all levels — political, economic, and cultural — emphasizing that a key step is to bar athletes and performers who directly or indirectly support Russian aggression from international platforms.