Russian Figure Skaters Permitted to Compete as “Neutral Athletes” at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The International Skating Union (ISU) has announced that Russian and Belarusian figure skaters may qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics under neutral status, provided they meet conditions set for the 2025/26 season.

According to The Moscow Times, in a statement, the ISU emphasized its commitment to ensuring fair and peaceful competition while adhering to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendations. The decision will enable a limited number of “individual neutral athletes” (AIN) from Russia and Belarus to participate in specific Olympic qualification events.

“Recognizing that competing at the Winter Olympics represents the pinnacle of any figure skater’s career, the ISU has thoroughly explored pathways for implementing the IOC’s recommendations to facilitate participation for athletes affiliated with ISU members in Russia and Belarus,” the statement reads.

The neutral status will apply to disciplines such as figure skating, speed skating, and short-track skating. The participation will be governed by the Olympic Qualification System (OQS) rules for the 2025/26 season. Under these guidelines, only one neutral athlete, including one pair in pairs skating and ice dance, from Russia and Belarus, may compete in each category of the program. These athletes will not be allowed to take part in team events or relays.

This decision comes after 15 Russian athletes competed under a neutral status at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. It also follows the precedent set during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where Russian athletes competed under the Russian Olympic Committee’s flag due to a ban imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

The involvement of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sports has been a topic of significant discussion since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, which led to widespread sanctions from the IOC and other international sports organizations.

Russia’s Minister of Sport, Mikhail Degtyarev, welcomed the ISU’s decision, stating, “The process of full reintegration into international sports will be challenging, but decisions like this mark important steps forward. It is better than prolonged isolation.”

During the preparation to the 2024 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee recommended allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag, provided they meet strict conditions, including no affiliation with military or security forces and no public support for the war.

Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee opposed this decision, with Minister Vadym Huttsait emphasizing, “We need to gather and present the facts: Russian athletes are servicemen; some have participated in pro-war events, and others have worn sports uniforms with the 'Z' symbol in public.”