The International Swimming Federation allowed a Russian woman who supports Putin and the war to compete.

The International Swimming Federation, World Aquatics, has permitted Russian swimmer Yevgenia Chikunova to participate in competitions despite her support for dictator Vladimir Putin and the war against Ukraine on social media. This is reported by Russian propaganda media.

Chikunova voted for three posts supporting the war and Putin from another swimmer and war supporter, Yevgeny Rylov.

In the first post, Rylov writes that he supports his president and does not allow threats near the borders. He also mourns because Ukrainian boys are dying.

In the second post, Rylov publishes a photo from a propaganda rally with the letter Z on his jacket. He writes about his sincere support for Putin and that he has not betrayed the dignity of his country. He also emphasizes that he does not regret his decision to support aggression against Ukraine.

In the third post, Rylov writes that he will always support his president Putin and calls on the entire nation to stand on the same side as him.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Sports Committee have appealed to the president of the International Association of World Games with an official letter. Ukraine called for the maintenance of the ban on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2025 World Games in China.

The letter emphasized that the aggression of Russia and Belarus continues, and Russian occupiers continue to commit atrocities against the Ukrainian people. Ukraine insists on continuing sanctions against Russia and Belarus until the aggression ceases and peace is restored.

Ukraine called on the International Association of World Games to maintain restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes in upcoming competitions in 2025.

In a joint letter, the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the President of the Sports Committee of Ukraine ask the International Association of World Games to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian sports movement.