“I see positive changes in the attitude towards our federations, judging by the experience of swimming” – head of ARAF Fradkov

President of the All-Russian Athletics Federation Pyotr Fradkov said that, based on the actions of World Aquatics, he sees positive changes in the attitude of international organizations towards Russian organizations.

The ARAF reporting and electoral conference was held in Moscow on November 23, and Fradkov was unanimously elected. Another candidate for the position was Oleg Kurbatov; since 2020, the position has been held by Petr Ivanov.

In the new edition of the world swimming rules on neutral status, there are no clauses limiting applications of Russian swimmers for distances to international starts, there are no restrictions on participation in team events of the program (in the case of swimming, we are talking about relay races), and there are also no restrictions on compliance with the standard exclusively for outside Russia and Belarus.

— Do you see positive changes in relation to our federations from international organizations? Are you considering working on repairing your relationship?

— Now I see such changes, judging by my swimming experience. We need to do this work, not paint it in two colors. The agenda can be positive.

— What can you say about the conference itself?

— The conference is an interesting experience, a real exchange of opinions, a discussion. I see that the regional federations are ready to work and interact. It’s important to me. A strengthened regional agenda is necessary, I view the future with optimism, ”reports the correspondent of , reporting Fradkov’s words.

In March 2023, World Athletics reinstated its membership in the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) after seven and a half years. Despite this, the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes was extended due to the situation in Ukraine.

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