A special program awaits water polo this year, with the World and European Championships held just a few months apart. Namely, the first to be held is the pandemic-postponed World Aquatics Championships, and after the initial news that the Fukuoka tournament would be postponed yet again this summer, FINA announced in early February that the tournament would go on, but in Budapest instead from June 18 and July 3.
The world’s best water polo players will thus compete in Hungary this summer – and just two months later, Split will host the European Water Polo Championship from August 27 to September 10.
The 16 best national teams in Europe will compete at Split’s Spaladium Arena this summer. The draw will take place on April 23.
European Water Polo Championship, Split, August 27 to September 10:
Croatia
Greece
Hungary
Serbia
Spain
Italy
Germany
Montenegro
Georgia
Germany
Israel
Romania
Malta
Slovakia
Netherlands
The European umbrella organization for water sports (LEN) has decided that the Russia water polo team will not play in Split. LEN has banned all Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in their competitions, both club and continental.
“The European Water Sports Federation (LEN) met yesterday and decided not to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials to LEN events in response to the invasion of Russian forces in Ukraine, until further notice,” LEN said in a statement, adding that no LEN competitions would be organized in Russia or Belarus until further notice.
LEN also expressed support for Ukrainian athletes and the Ukrainian people.
“LEN strongly condemns the actions of the Russian government supported by Belarus in its invasion of Ukraine. This act of war has ruined the lives of Ukrainian citizens and is completely contrary to the sporting spirit,” LEN added.
In addition, LEN announced that it supports a concrete humanitarian initiative of the Croatian Art Swimming and Diving Associations to accommodate Ukrainian athletes and family members as refugees.
This project, supported by FINA, will allow athletes to continue to train and represent Ukraine in international competitions. This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Croatia, and the hosts will be Zagreb, Zadar, Rijeka, and others, according to the LEN website.
Source: Gol.hr
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