Ukrainian community set to protest Russia's inclusion in Water Polo World Cup being held in Sydney
Russian athletes will take part in the Water Polo World Cup in Sydney despite serious concerns about members of the delegation.
Members of Australia’s Ukrainian community will protest outside the Russian women’s water polo team match at Sydney’s Olympic Park on Wednesday when it takes on the Netherlands in the World Cup championships.
The Russian athletes have flown into the country despite serious concerns that members of their delegation have links to sanctioned entities and President Vladimir Putin’s security apparatus.
Russia’s team, captained by Ekaterina Profkofyeva, is taking part in this week’s eight-team World Cup just weeks after the International Olympic Committee lifted a ban on athletes competing in their national colours.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.In recent years Russian athletes have competed in major international competitions but since Moscow launched its attempted invasion of Ukraine in 2022, they have primarily not done so under their national flag.
“A Russian national team is not a collection of independent athletes — it is a representation of the state itself,” says Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) Chair Kateryna Argyrou.
“This team’s presence in Sydney normalises Russia’s aggression, hands the Kremlin a propaganda victory, and is an insult to the more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches killed since the full-scale invasion began.”
Ukrainian activists claim the head of the Russian Water Polo Federation is also allegedly part of President Putin’s inner circle
“It is disgraceful that the blood-soaked Russian flag will be broadcast around the world from Sydney. Australia must not sports-wash Russia’s war crimes,” Ms Aryrou declared.
An Albanese government spokesperson told The Nightly that “Australia remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty against Russian aggression”.
“While we respect the independence and autonomy of sporting organisations and their right to make these decisions, we are deeply disappointed by World Aquatics’ decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags.”
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam demanded that Russia’s team be subjected to the “toughest security checks” and said the government must explain what steps it took before approving their visas.
Australia’s longstanding position has been to grant visas for participants of sporting events, unless there are credible grounds for exclusion of specific individuals to support the country’s ability to attract and host international sporting events.
After qualifying through earlier rounds, the Russian women’s team qualified to compete in the 2026 Water Polo World Cup Finals being held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, between 22–26, hosted by Water Polo Australia.
World Aquatics lifted its ban on Russian and Belarusian national teams back in April, marking one of Russia’s highest profile returns to international sport since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Russian captain Ekaterina Prokofyeva, who plays for Kinef-Surgutneftegas, was photographed at the tournament launch in front of the Sydney Opera House on Monday.Water Polo Australia has so far not commented on the controversy, but in May said questions about Russia’s participation was a matter for World Aquatics.
Last year visiting Russian scientific officials were confronted in Hobart over the recent arrest of a Ukrainian researcher who had been scheduled to fly to Tasmania for global talks about Antarctica.
