Swimming sets ‘strict’ rules for individual Russians to return to competition before Paris Olympics

GENEVA (AP) — Individual Russian swimmers will be allowed to compete in international events, including the Paris Olympics, if they meet a set of “strict criteria” that include not talking to the media, the sport’s governing body said Monday.

The World Aquatics governing body published its criteria Monday for Russian and Belarusian athletes, coaches and officials to return to competition as neutrals after being banned because of their countries’ war in Ukraine.

The criteria follow the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines that only…