Over 30 Russian swimmers, including prominent athletes like Yevgeniya Chikunova and Kirill Prigoda, have been cleared to compete under neutral status in the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championship (25m). The event is set to take place in Budapest, Hungary, from December 10 to 15, featuring competitors from around 200 nations.
Chikunova, a women’s world record holder in the 200-meter breaststroke, and Prigoda, a three-time World Championship bronze medalist, will lead the Russian contingent. Other notable participants include European Champion Ilya Borodin and junior world record holder in the 100-meter backstroke Miron Lifintsev.
This year’s championship boasts an impressive $2.025 million prize purse, with a $25,000 bonus awarded for any world record broken during the competition.
Neutral Status for Russian Athletes
The inclusion of Russian swimmers comes under a neutral status, following World Aquatics’ decision in March 2023 to bar Russia and Belarus from participating in FINA-sanctioned events. This move aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s February 2022 recommendations to exclude athletes from these countries from international competitions.
Despite these restrictions, the participation of over 30 Russian swimmers highlights their resilience and dedication to the sport.
