Netherlands refuses to host European Para Swimming over Russian participation
Netherlands refuses to host Euro para swimming event due to Russian and Belarusian participation (photo: Getty Images)
The Royal Dutch Swimming Federation has officially canceled the European Para Swimming Championship. The decision came after pressure from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow the return of Russian and Belarusian flags at the tournament, according to AD.nl.
Read also: Ukraine sanctions Russian Paralympic Committee and Esports Federation: Details revealed
IPC Ultimatum and The Hague’s Position
The Netherlands rejected the proposal to host the continental para swimming championship after the IPC demanded that athletes from the aggressor country and its ally be allowed to participate under their national symbols.
The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport emphasized that the country is only willing to host athletes under full neutrality.
Since the contract conditions required the use of Russian and Belarusian state flags and anthems similar to the upcoming Winter Paralympics in Milan, the organizers refused to comply.
Conflict Around the 2026 Paralympics
This move continues the large-scale protest against IPC policy.
Earlier, the Netherlands joined five other countries in boycotting the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
IPC President Andrew Parsons stated that the General Assembly’s decision to allow ten athletes under Russian and Belarusian flags is final and cannot be overturned by the committee leadership.
Consequences for 2028 Games Qualification
The Netherlands’ withdrawal puts the competition calendar at risk, as the European Championship was set to be a key qualifying event for the 2028 Summer Paralympics.
It is currently unclear which country will agree to host the tournament under conditions that conflict with international sports sanctions.
Previously, Italy officially opposed the return of the Russian flag at the 2026 Paralympics.
