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≡ “AIN” APPROVALS ≡
The International Olympic Committee announced on Thursday its approvals for three “neutral” athletes for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina, all in figure skating:
● Petr Gummenik (RUS)
● Adeliia Petrosian (RUS)
● Viktoriya Safonova (BLR)
Gummenik won the Internatiuonal Skating Union’s “Skate to Milano” Olympic qualifier in Beijing (CHN) in September, scoring 262.80 to win easily and take one of the five available qualifying positions.
Five places were available in the women’s Singles, won by Petrosian at 209.63; she won both the Short Program and the Free Skate. Safonova placed fourth at 181.91.
While the ISU is not permitting Russian or Belarusian entries in its own competitions, it created a place for “neutral” athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in Olympic qualifying events, expecting that the IOC would follow the same scenario as it did for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. And that is exactly what happened.
Limited Russian and Belarusian entries are being allowed in the ISU’s speed skating and Short Track World Cup events for the purpose of trying to qualify for the 2026 Winter Games.
According to the IOC:
“For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, strict eligibility conditions were established for AINs by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in December 2023. These conditions will also apply to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
“The Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel (AINERP) evaluates the eligibility of each athlete with a Russian or Belarusian passport to participate in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, and that of their support personnel. The IOC has the authority to invite an AIN, and their support personnel, to participate in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
“Participation in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is subject to the athletes’ acceptance of the individual invitation and signing of the Conditions of Participation applicable to all participants. The form contains a commitment to respect the Olympic Charter, including ‘the peace mission of the Olympic Movement’.”
The International Biathlon Union, World Curling and the International Ice Hockey Federation are not allowing Russian or Belarusian entries into their competitions and will not have Russian or Belarusian athletes at Milan Cortina 2026.
The International Bobsled and Skeleton Federation was told by its Appeals Tribunal to allow Russian and Belarusian “neutrals” to be allowed to compete for the purpose of attempting to qualify and the International Luge Federation was told the same by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The International Ski & Snowboard Federation has also banned Russian and Belarusian participation with an appeal filed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the Russian Ski Association. That hearing will take place on 1 December, with a decision expected by 10 December.
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