After 4 years a Russian team returns to play abroad

After over four years a team made up of Russia players returns to compete in sports at an international level. From tomorrow to Monday 13th, the neutral Russian (Nab) men’s water polo team will play in Malta in Division II of the World Cup which offers two passes to the final eight in Sydney (20-26 July).

The last time a Russian team took part in an international event dates back to 20 February 2022 on the occasion of the final of the ice hockey of the Beijing Olympic Games. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team lost the gold medal final to Finland 2 to 1. The neutral Russian team, which played a collegiate season in Serbia, will play against Brazil tomorrow, against Great Britain on Wednesday and against South Africa on Thursday. There are 24 teams involved in Division II, including Ukraine. The top 16 classified after the first phase will advance to the round of 16. Only the two Division II finalists qualify for the final eight in Sydney which already sees Australia (host country) admitted. Five Nations will enter from Division I – a tournament which takes place in Greece and in which Italy also takes part.

Last autumn World Aquatics had authorized the national teams of Russia (Nab) and Belarus (NAa) both seniors and juniors to participate in the international events (also swimming, diving, artistic swimming and cross-country swimming) without flag, without anthem and in a neutral manner. The Russian and Belarusian neutral teams did not take part in the men’s and women’s European Championships in Belgrade and Funchal respectively in January and February because they had not taken part in the qualifiers as they were still suspended.

The situation of water polo and summer Olympic sports

The Russian men’s water polo team the last time he played in an international tournament dates back to February 2021 during the qualifiers at Olympics in Tokyo 2020 (postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic) finished in fourth place and, therefore, remained excluded. In the summer olympic sports Russia and Belarus remain excluded as nations but, in judo, wrestling, taekwondo, fencing, gymnastics and tennis (tornei Atp/Wta, Slam), Russian athletes and athletes can take part in international events under the acronym ‘Ain’ (neutral individual athletes). In tennis, participation in the tournament is excluded Davis Cup. In the boating the participation of neutral Russians and Belarusians is permitted only in singles and doubles.

Exclusions and readmissions in other sports

In the equestrian sports since January 1st the Russian and Belarusian teams in neutral form. At team level, the Russian national teams of football, volleyball, basketball, handball, ice hockeyremain excluded. In the’athletics, World Athletics it does not allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes even in a neutral form.

In the winter sportsRussia and Belarus took part in the recent events with their national anthem, flag and colours Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympics. In other snow and ice sports, subject to qualification, participation in an ‘individual and neutral’ manner is permitted, respecting the rules dictated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)i.e. not supporting military intervention in Ukraine and being part of military sports groups or police forces.