World Aquatics has asked European Aquatics to align with its decision and admit Russians and Belarusians under a neutral flag, public broadcaster Polish Radio's polskieradio24.pl website reported on Friday.
Previously, only juniors from those countries were allowed to compete in Europe, also without national symbols.
“I was the only one against during the online vote,” Jędrzejczak said, arguing that when Poland sought to host the championships, the European Aquatics resolution barring participation was still in force.
She said World Aquatics President Husain Al-Mussalam told the board he could not allow discrimination against athletes of different nationalities.
Jędrzejczak said she pointed to Lublin’s proximity to Ukraine and Poland’s hosting of many Ukrainian refugees, but everyone except her backed lifting the ban.
She noted that a Polish ministerial regulation remains in place temporarily suspending entry of Russian citizens to Poland, with visas generally not issued except in limited cases.
The short-course European swimming championships are scheduled in Lublin for December 2–7, with more than 600 athletes from 40 countries expected to compete. Forty-two medal events are planned.
Polish swimmers have until November 16 to qualify, with about 30 expected to make the team.
(jh/gs)
Source: polskieradio24.pl, PAP