Swimming: Olympic swimming champion Märtens comments on the Russian comeback

The Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400 meter freestyle added with a view to the current global political situation: “I think that if you really ban all athletes every time the countries are involved in wars, then at some point it will become very thin.” “There are other things going on right now.”

Märtens: “It’s a difficult topic”

Märtens also explained: “If we continue like this, at some point we might show up with four countries. We don’t want that either. I don’t think it’s a sport anymore.”

However, the Magdeburger also emphasized how complicated the assessment is. “It’s a difficult topic that I might look into again in due course or think about it personally as to what the right decision would ultimately be for me,” he said. “But you can’t do that long-term, I think.”

The Russians and Belarusians recently took part under a neutral flag

Following a decision by the World Aquatics Association, Russian and Belarusian swimmers are once again allowed to officially take part in international competitions for their country, despite the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Corresponding flags, national symbols on sportswear and anthems are allowed again.

This has already been the case for athletes at the junior level. The regulation now also applies to adults. Some Russian and Belarusian athletes who had gone through a certain admission procedure took part again at the World Championships in Singapore last year. However, they had to start under a neutral flag.