Canadian Swimming Withdraws From Russia Organized Short Course World Championship

Canadian Swim on Tuesday announced his intention withdrew from the 2022 FINA Short Course World Championship, scheduled in Kazan, Russia, in December.

Although FINA has canceled the World Junior Championships to be hosted by Kazan this summer due to the Russian military’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, FINA has yet to issue changes for the World in December. British Swimming has also pulled out of the event, further adding to pressure on FINA to revoke host Russia’s privileges. FINA also disarmed the president of Russia Vladimir Putin of the FINA Order, and there are growing calls to exclude athletes from Russia and Belarus from competition.

Canadian Swimming Statement:

Due to the acts of aggression carried out by Russia against Ukraine, Canadian Swimmers will not be sending the team to the 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), which is scheduled in Kazan, Russia, this December.

Pool Canada supports sanctions against Russia and Belarus, including barring the two countries from competing, and supports President Vladimir Putin being stripped of the FINA Order award.

Canadian Swimming, in solidarity with our global partners in sport, condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine, and will not attend any further events in Russia or Belarus until a peaceful resolution is reached.

The organization also reviews all upcoming events in Canada. Canadian swimming stands with its sporting partners such as the Canadian Olympic Committee, which condemned Russia’s violation of the Olympic Truce.

Senior team athletes and key partners were notified on Monday via an internal Zoom call that Canada would not be sending teams to Russia or Belarus.

Canadian Swimming will work closely with the Government of Canada and its various sports partners to evaluate all scheduled and potentially scheduled events. Canadian Swimming stands with the Ukrainian people and calls for an immediate end to this needless attack. The organization hopes for a speedy and peaceful settlement and offers support to the Ukrainian Swimming Federation.

Related