AdvertisementAdvertisementFILE PHOTO: General Sport - Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - Beijing, China - 23/8/08Synchronised Swimming - Russia leap into the water to begin their routineMandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason O'BrienLivepic /File Photo21 Apr 2026 09:13PM Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST April 21 : The Norwegian Swimming Federation will not host international championships as long as World Aquatics (WA) allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete, the country's governing body President Cato Bratbakk told Reuters.The decision marks a deepening rift within the international swimming community after WA lifted neutrality restrictions last week. "Our position is clear. We will not host any championships as long as Russian and Belarusian senior and junior competitors have full access, entry rights, and are permitted to use their flags and national anthems," Bratbakk said on Tuesday.Russian and Belarusian athletes were permitted to compete in WA events with their respective uniforms, flags and anthems since April 14. The global governing body added that Russia and Belarus would resume full membership rights.Show MoreShow LessCompetitors from Russia and Belarus were banned from international sporting events following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which was launched in part from Belarusian territory.Norway is now seeking a broader regional boycott of hosting duties."We are scheduled to meet with Nordic colleagues next week, where we hope our position will create momentum against the decision made by World Aquatics," Bratbakk said.The move follows a similar stance taken by Poland on Friday.The WA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Source: ReutersNewsletterRecommended ReadSubscribe to CNA's Recommended ReadA single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST