Two-time Olympic medalist Russian swimmer Kolesnikov received a neutral status.

Two-time Olympic medalist Russian swimmer Kliment Kolesnikov has received the neutral status of the International Swimming Federation (World Aquatics). This was announced on April 16 by the press service of the organization.

Her message, quoted by TASS, clarifies that the athlete took first place at the Russian Championships in 100 m backstroke swimming. Now he will be able to participate in the World Cup. The competition will be held from July 11 to August 3 in Singapore.

Kliment Kolesnikov is the current world record holder in the 50 m backstroke, as well as a three-time World Championships medalist and a two-time Olympic medalist in Tokyo 2020.

In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that sports federations not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in competitions.

At the end of March 2023, the IOC Executive Committee advised that only those Russian athletes who do not support the special operation should be allowed to compete as neutral athletes. It was proposed to deny participation to athletes associated with the Armed Forces and security agencies of the Russian Federation.

Meanwhile, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, then president of the Russian Olympic Committee, called the neutral status at the Olympic Games a violation of human rights, and Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, said that the non-admission of Russian athletes was illegal.