Russia is looking to participate in Asian events ©Getty Images

The Russian Synchronised Swimming Federation (RSSF) has emerged as the latest governing body in Russia to consider participating in Asian events.

RSSF President Olga Brusnikina, a three-time Olympic champion, told Russia's official state news agency TASS that the organisation is looking at the possibility of competing in Asia.

Russian athletes remain largely banned from international competition due to the country's invasion of Ukraine but a growing number of sporting federations in Russia are looking to Asia as a possible opportunity for them to compete.

"The issue of moving to an Asian federation is complex," said Brusnikina.

"It is decided not at the level of the federation, but at the level of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Swimming Federation [World Aquatics].

"Today we are considering the possibility of participating in some Asian competitions.

"Our main rival is competing in Asia - this is the Chinese team.

The Russian Olympic Committee overcame China to win the team title at Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images
The Russian Olympic Committee overcame China to win the team title at Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

"From the point of view of training and competitive practice for athletes and coaches, participation in any competitions is a plus, while discussions are at the level of such participation in events, but in any case, the decision on possible participation will be made by the head coach of the national team Tatyana Nikolaevna Pokrovskaya."

The Russian Football Union and Russian Swimming Federation are other governing bodies that have expressed their interest in potentially participating in Asian tournaments.

The move comes after last month’s Olympic Summit, chaired by IOC President Thomas Bach, agreed unanimously to follow up an initiative proposed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to enable Russian and Belarus athletes to take part in its competitions.

The OCA has offered to facilitate the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in competitions in Asia under its authority, while respecting the sanctions in place.

OCA Acting President Randhir Singh argued that the need for "protective measures" in place for athletes no longer existed in the Asian continent when speaking at the Olympic Summit held earlier this month.

Russia is the most successful nation in artistic swimming at the Olympic Games, with the ROC claiming two golds at Tokyo 2020.