Ukrainian para athlete Anna Hontar. Photo: Getty Images
The Netherlands have withdrawn from hosting the European Para Swimming Championships due to the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Source: AD.nl
Details: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) requires that Russians and Belarusians be allowed to compete under their own flags, as will be the case at the Winter Paralympic Games in Milan.
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According to Arnoud Strijbis, director of the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB), the decision was taken following consultations with ministries in The Hague.
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport confirmed the refusal to the Nieuwsuur news programme.
“The Netherlands do not wish to host the European Para Swimming Championships in which Russians and Belarusians would participate under their own flag and anthem. Participation is permitted only under a fully neutral flag and without an anthem,” the ministry stated.
Strijbis told Nieuwsuur that the IPC insists that Russian and Belarusian athletes must be able to compete under their own flags.
“We have therefore concluded that we cannot comply with what they intended to stipulate in the contract.”
As a result, the future of the European Para Swimming Championships remains uncertain. It is not yet known whether the event will take place or where it might be held. This could have serious sporting consequences for swimmers aiming to compete at the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.
The European Championships were due to form part of the qualification process for the Games. If they do not go ahead, European athletes will have fewer opportunities to qualify.
Background:
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The National Paralympic Committee of the Netherlands supported Ukraine, which will boycott the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympics over the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national flags.
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Earlier, five countries – Czechia, Finland, Poland, Latvia and Estonia – joined Ukraine’s boycott. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne will not broadcast the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympics.
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