ISU Lifts Ban on Russian and Belarusian Skaters for Next Season
The ISU said the athletes must pass strict vetting and compete under reduced quotas after a ban that began in 2022.
- On Tuesday, The International Skating Union announced it is lifting the ban on skaters from Russia and Belarus for the next season, allowing them to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes.
- The International Skating Union implemented the exclusion in February 2022 for safety and competition integrity, not punishment, and cited the successful participation of neutral skaters at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics as justification.
- In Milan, Russian skater Adeliia Petrosian and Petr Gumennik, along with Viktoriia Safonova of Belarus, competed as Individual Neutral Athletes; The ISU requires neutral skaters to have never publicly supported the war since February 2022.
- The ISU stated the decision 'does not affect the ISU's continued condemnation of armed conflict, nor the ISU's ongoing support for Ukrainian skaters,' while acknowledging guidance from the International Olympic Committee.
- While Russian skaters can return to Grand Prix events and world championships next season, they may still face difficulties obtaining entry visas for host countries; Finland and South Korea are set to host 2027 world championships.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Los Angeles Times
The News-GazetteSkaters from Russia and Belarus cleared to return as neutral athletes amid Ukraine war
The International Skating Union lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian skaters in place since the 2022 military invasion of Ukraine. They may compete as neutral athletes.
ISU Allows Russian and Belarusian Skaters Return as “Neutral” Athletes for 2026/27 Season
The International Skating Union (ISU) Council has officially decided to reintroduce skaters from Russia and Belarus to international events for the upcoming 2026/2027 competitive season, according to the newly released ISU Communication 2804 on June 30. Under the revised guidelines, athletes from the two nations will be permitted to participate strictly as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN). Returning skaters must compete without any form of stat…
Russian figure skaters are allowed to compete again in international competitions as neutral athletes from the coming season.
Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete in prestigious competitions without state symbols, such as national flags and national anthems.
The international figure skating association abolishes the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
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