russia is killing people every day. Sport should not be used to cover for it.
Write to Water Polo Australia and our government leaders now: standwithukraine.good.do/waterpolo
World Aquatics has lifted its ban on russian and belarusian national teams. As a result, the russian women’s water polo national team will compete under the russian flag, anthem and symbols at the 2026 Water Polo World Cup Finals at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, 22–26 July, hosted by Water Polo Australia.
This is sportswashing. Allowing russian national teams back into international competition normalises aggression, undermines international sanctions, and hands a propaganda gift to a regime responsible for illegal invasion, war crimes and systematic violations of international law.
russian athletes are deeply embedded in the state apparatus. Many compete through clubs and structures tied to the russian military, security services, or state-owned enterprises that support and sustain the war effort.
Meanwhile, russia continues to bomb Ukrainian cities and kill civilians every day. More than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed since the full-scale invasion began. 800 sporting facilities have been destroyed. Ukrainian athletes continue to train under air raid sirens, amidst destruction, displacement and profound national trauma.
Aquatic associations in Norway, Finland, and Poland have already refused to host World Aquatics events in protest, citing their ethical responsibilities. It is time Australia added its voice and prevented Sydney from handing russia one of its first major global sporting platforms since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations has written to Water Polo Australia and the Australian Government calling on them to publicly oppose this decision and push to have it overturned.
Join us in urging Australia not to put out the welcome mat for representatives of a regime responsible for illegal aggression and war crimes. Write to Water Polo Australia and our government leaders now. It takes less than two minutes: standwithukraine.good.do/waterpolo
#NoBloodInOurPool #SportNotWar #AFUO #WaterPoloAustralia #WorldAquatics #russiaIsATerroristState #StandWithUkraine
