Russian president Vladimir Putin has been stripped of his FINA Order following the invasion of Ukraine.
The 69-year-old - who was awarded the honour in 2014 for "remarkable merit in the world of Aquatics" - ordered his troops into Ukraine last week, leading to multiple sanctions against Russia and their respective sporting bodies.
The International Olympic Committee has called for Russian and Belarusian teams and athletes to be banned while war wages in Eastern Europe, and FINA have now removed Putin's honorary Order while also insisting that competitors from the two nations only attend events as neutrals.
A statement read: "The FINA Order awarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 has been withdrawn. Until further notice, no athlete or Aquatics official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus. Russian or Belarusian nationals, be it as individuals or teams, should be accepted only as neutral athletes or neutral teams.
"No national symbols, colours, flags should be displayed or anthems should be played, in international Aquatics events which are not already part of the respective World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) sanctions for Russia.
"FINA remains deeply concerned about the impact of the war on the aquatics community and the wider population of Ukraine. FINA will continue to carefully monitor the grave situation and make further decisions as appropriate."
Russian clubs and national teams have also been suspended from all football tournaments by UEFA and FIFA as Putin's forces move towards Kyiv.
Ben Knapton
