February brought a mix of policy updates, coaching moves, international training camps, and developments behind the scenes. Here’s what you may have missed.

Updates on Russian and Belarusian Athletes Status

World Aquatics has announced that Russian and Belarusian youth and junior athletes are now permitted to compete in their respective age categories without restrictions, effective immediately. The federation stated that this decision aligns with recommendations issued by the International Olympic Committee.

Under the updated guidelines, youth and junior athletes are no longer required to compete under neutral status. There are no more restrictions on national symbols, flags, and anthems, for example.

However, these changes do not extend to senior competition. Junior athletes competing in senior events remain subject to existing senior regulations, including the requirement to obtain neutral athlete status.

European Aquatics has confirmed it will implement this updated World Aquatics guidance as well. Athletes holding Russian or Belarusian passports competing in youth and junior categories will be permitted to participate in European Aquatics competitions without restrictions, including in team events.

Coaching Carousel

• The Portugal Swimming Federation has named Maura Xavier as the new national coach, responsible for the junior and senior categories. Born in Brazil, Xavier served as a coach and technical director of the Brazilian team that competed in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She was later appointed as coach and technical director of the Peru national team, a role she served for seven years and until last season.
• Anna Tarrés was spotted in Türkiye, working with vice-World Youth solo champion Selin Hurmeric and coach Oyku Halis.
• Ukrainian coach Iryna Grebennikova worked with the national team in Chile for a week-long training camp.

California Dreamin’

• The Italian national team spent two weeks training in the San Francisco Bay Area, including sessions at the Santa Clara Aquamaids facility. The camp allowed the athletes to continue their collaboration with choreographer Anna Voloshyna, who has been working with the squad since last year and currently coaches at Santa Clara. The Italian athletes also got a chance to visit and train at Stanford University, the current Collegiate National Champion program.

Apnea Project

• European Aquatics and the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding focused on sports science and technological research in aquatics. One of the first initiatives will be joint work on developing the “Apnea project” within artistic swimming. The partnership will also support broader collaboration in research, technological innovation, joint development projects, knowledge transfer and training, and educational initiatives for coaches, officials, athletes, and national federation staff.

CAS Settlement

• Canada Artistic Swimming has reached an out-of-court, amicable settlement agreement with seven former national team athletes who, in March 2021, filed class action proceedings against it in the Superior Court of Quebec. As required by law, this settlement agreement will be submitted on May 11, 2026 to the Court for approval.

In Case You Missed It

• The Alexandri triplets will leave Austria and will continue their careers under the Greek flag, with the ultimate goal of competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Read more here.

ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA MARMET

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