AFUO Board Member, Ms Chrestyna Kmetj, has made an impassioned plea at the FINA Extraordinary General Congress this week on behalf of the Ukrainian Swimming Federation competing in Melbourne, stressing that sanctions must continue on russian and Belorussian athletes as long as russia wages its war on Ukraine, and that Ukrainian athletes must receive support to train and compete.
Ms Kmetj attended the congress with world champion Ukrainian swimmer Andrii Govorov, Ukraine’s head swimming coach Andrii Khlopstov, and Andriii Vlaskov, member of the Ukrainian Swimming Delegation in Kyiv.
“We are drawing attention to the principles of fair play in the aquatics family and the exclusion of representatives of nations whose actions harm the development of the sport,” said Ms Kmetj.
“The best swimming pools in Ukraine have been destroyed or damaged by russian troops. Others cannot operate regularly due to russian missiles hitting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“Under such conditions, Ukrainian athletes and coaches are exposed to a threat to their lives, deprived of their rights and opportunities to train safely and cannot compete equally at FINA events.
“At the same time, russian and Belarusian athletes, many of whom are employees of police and military structures, support the aggressive actions and policies of their countries, which in fact is the genocide of Ukrainians.
“How can athletes and representatives of the aggressor country be allowed to participate in world and continental sports forums?
“FINA should maintain sanctions on russian and Belarusian athletes and officials as long as russian troops are on Ukrainian soil. Ukrainian athletes, who are facing unmeasurable challenges to train, live and compete must also receive additional support,” said Ms Kmetj.
