International Swimming League (ISL) statement following the World Anti-Doping Agency decision on Russia’s participation in international sport:
Our position on the participation of athletes in the International Swimming League is very clear: any swimmer with a previous disqualification for breaking anti-doping rules is not allowed to be part of any ISL club roster.
Thus, ISL will continue to allow athletes from Russia to compete in the league if they do not have a previous doping ban.
As a result, all Russian athletes currently competing in the league are free to continue competing, including at the upcoming Grand Final in Las Vegas.
We will not ban clean Russian athletes solely because of their nationality. Athletes competing in our league are individuals and not representatives of nations.
The ISL is an independent commercial organisation that works independently of governing bodies, the Olympic Movement, International Federations and National Federations.
To note, the ISL respects WADA and correctly follows all anti-doping procedures. We work closely with relevant national anti-doping authorities in the countries where we organise our matches.
All swimmers competing at ISL matches are subject to in-competition testing according to already established doping control rules.
All swimmers must provide their consent to be tested during ISL matches, otherwise they will not be allowed to compete.
The relevant anti-doping authority has the authority to determine which swimmers will be selected for testing in all ISL matches.
About the ISL: The International Swimming League is a global professional swimming competition launching in 2019 with teams in both Europe (Italy-based Aqua Centurions, France-based Energy Standard, Hungary-based Iron, and London Roar) and the United States (Cali Condors, DC Trident, LA Current, NY Breakers). The inaugural season will include matches in Indianapolis IN, Naples ITA, Lewisville TX, Budapest HUN, College Park MD, London GBR, and the championship finale at the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. The ISL aims to create groundbreaking projects, in both form and content, exploring the full potential of competitive swimming while securing sustainable commercial growth in the sport.
Media Contact: James Mulligan (james.mulligan@isl.global)
International Swimming League Ltd
Alfred-Escher-Strasse 17, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland
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