World Aquatics, the governing body for international swimming and aquatic sports, announced on Monday that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to compete without restrictions, including the use of their national flags and anthems. This decision means that senior athletes from these countries can now participate in World Aquatics events just like their peers from other nations. Previously, Russian and Belarusian athletes had to compete under neutral status due to geopolitical tensions. The rules had already been relaxed for junior athletes, and this latest announcement extends those privileges to senior competitors, signaling a significant shift in the approach towards these athletes in international competitions.