swimmer Girev asked to cancel his neutral status – Kommersant

Russian swimmer Ivan Girev asked the International Aquatics Federation (World Aquatics) to revoke his neutral status, which he received in October 2023 to participate in international competitions, the organization confirmed. This was previously reported by the President of the All-Russian Swimming Federation (RSF) Vladimir Salnikov.

“After speaking with the Independent Aquatics Integrity Office, we can confirm that Mr. Girev has requested that his status as a Neutral Independent Athlete be revoked,” they said. “RIA News” in the press service of World Aquatics.

Ivan Girev is the only Russian swimmer to receive neutral status. April 3 Vladimir Salnikov in an interview “MATCH TV” said that the athlete sent a statement to World Aquatics, in which he indicated that it was not possible for him to perform without his team.

Ivan Girev is a silver medalist at the 2020 Olympic Games. He is also the winner of silver at the world championships in long and short course in the freestyle relay, and a two-time European champion in 2021. World Aquatics explained that neutral status is issued to Russian and Belarusian athletes solely on the basis of their requests.

World Aquatics announced the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions under its auspices in September 2023. The criteria for the admission of athletes in a neutral status were based on the recommendations of the IOC: not to publicly support the special operation and not to have connections with the security forces of Russia and Belarus. Athletes can only participate in individual competitions and are prohibited from interacting with the media.

On the refusal of Russian athletes to participate in the Olympics in Paris – in the publication of Kommersant “The archers changed their target”.

Lusine Balasyan