By George Aluo
Despite the on going war in Ukraine, World Aquatics says it has succeeded in carrying out enough tests on Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian athletes.
According to a report by the World Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) little or no disruption took place when it comes to testing in 2022 in spite of the war.
In the words of world swimming governing body…”The AQIU is pleased to report that there has been little disruption to the World Aquatics testing program as it concerns Russian, Belarussian and Ukrainian athletes in 2022.
Notably, the number of out-of-competition tests conducted on Russian athletes was on par with the ITA testing plan. The overall number of blood tests decreased by only 16% as compared to 2021, with 293 tests being carried out.
Testing in Belarus remained predominantly unaffected, with the number of out-of-competition tests conducted on Belarusian athletes in 2022 similar to previous years. There were 21 tests carried out in 2022.”
The report continued…”Despite facing challenges due to the ongoing war and difficulties in obtaining whereabouts information for Ukrainian athletes forced to relocate, the ITA has worked diligently to maintain testing consistency with the 2021 period for these athletes as well.
“These testing figures for Russian and Belarussian athletes are significant given that these athletes did not compete in any World Aquatics competitions in 2022 and as compared against the increase in testing during the prior year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo,”
AQIU Chair Miguel Cardenal Carro noted that the AQIU has been steadfast in its mission to ensure clean competition in all aquatics events declaring that particular attention has been placed to ensure that no gaps in testing take place during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
