The president of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), Hussein Al Musallam, explained under what conditions the Russians will be able to compete in the Asian confederation under the conditions of suspension of international competitions.
The Russians have been suspended from competitions under the auspices of FINA due to the situation in Ukraine.
The representative of Ukraine at the FINA congress stressed that Ukrainian athletes cannot prepare for competitions under the current conditions and take part in departures and asked to extend the sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes, and also raised the question of the situation with the transition of Russian athletes to the Asian confederation.
– The Russian side did not ask us to move to Asia, it was a proposal and it came from the Olympic family and was also supported by Europe. This question was raised from the point of view of safety and the unity of the competition. Maybe it will be the Asian Championship or the Asian Games, if the whole world, the whole Olympic movement invites Russians to participate in the qualification for the Games,” said the FINA President.
During the debate at the recent Olympic summit, a spokesman for the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said that there was no longer any reason for the Asian continent to take defensive measures against the Russians. The OCA has offered to facilitate the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitions in Asia under its control, while respecting the sanctions in force.
Source : MatchTV
