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≡ OLYMPIC QUALIFIER “NEUTRALS” ≡
Following the format that the International Olympic Committee used for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the International Skating Union is trying to get ahead of a similar procedure to allow a limited number of Russian and Belarusian “neutrals” to compete at the Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina (ITA) in 2026.
To that end, the ISU Council announced Tuesday the names of skaters who have (1) been nominated by the Russian and Belarusian skating federations, (2) been approved by the ISU after review procedure, analogous to what was done by the IOC prior to Paris 2024. The results:
Russia:
● 4 figure skaters approved (two primary in 2 events, two substitutes)
● 18 speed skaters approved (8 in speed; 10 in short track)
Belarus:
● 6 figure skaters approved (four primary in 3 events, two substitutes)
● 7 speed skaters approved (across 9 events in speed and short track)
These are not approvals to compete in all ISU events, rather only specific events that create a pathway to Olympic qualification:
● Figure skating: Only the 17-21 September 2025 qualifier in Beijing (CHN).
● Speed skating: Four World Cup events in November and December 2025.
● Short Track: Four World Tour events in October and November 2025.
The announcement of the approvals as “independent neutral athletes” (“AIN”) took pains to further detail the deliberative process involved in screenings:
● “Following the process established by the ISU, the Russian Skating Union, the Figure Skating Federation of Russia and the Skating Union of Belarus nominated AIN skaters and their respective substitutes (in case of injury only) for each discipline in Figure Skating and each distance in Speed Skating and Short Track. These nominated AINs subsequently underwent a special screening process conducted by an ISU panel, in line with IOC guidelines and with the support of an experienced independent external provider.
“This process thoroughly examined public appearances and statements made by the nominated AINs since February 2022, to assess any active support for the invasion of Ukraine or any contractual links to Russian or Belarusian military and other national security agencies. While nominations were submitted for all the disciplines and distances open to AIN participation, not all nominated athletes passed the rigorous screening. By extension, their designated substitutes were also deemed ineligible, as substitution is permitted only in case of injury, not on grounds of ineligibility. Consequently, there are some disciplines or distances for which no AIN skaters will be entered.”
● “All assessments were based on objective criteria, including evidence of compliance with ISU neutrality standards and absence of any public support for the ongoing conflict.
“The current decision of the ISU Council on the AIN eligibility list is final with regard to all applicants and not subject to appeal. This reflects the exceptional and sensitive nature of the current process and aims to ensure procedural integrity and consistency across all applicants respecting their right to privacy.”
The ISU, regrettably, did not specify which skaters were eligible for which events.
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As to which of the figure skaters will try to qualify, the Russian news agency TASS reported:
“The President of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (RFSF) Anton Sikharulidze told TASS that [Adeliia] Petrosyan and [Petr] Gumennik will participate in the competition” for Olympic qualifying in the women’s and men’s Singles. Who are they?
● Petrosyan, 17, won the Russian national women’s title in both 2024 and 2025, scoring – with national judges – 246.53 points in 2024 and 262.92 in 2025. Both of those scores were well past the winning mark of American Alysia Liu at the 2025 Worlds in Boston – with international judges – of 222.97.
● Gumennik, 23, was the Russian national silver medalist in 2023 and bronze winner in 2024, scoring a best of 295.07 in 2023, which would have been second at the 2025 Worlds, behind only American Ilia Malinin (318.46).
Translation: they appear to be true contenders for medals. No Russian Pairs or Ice Dance duos were approved to compete in the qualifier.
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The Russian response to the limited approvals was, of course, exceedingly unhappy.
● Choreographer Ilya Averbukh, a 2002 Winter Games silver medalist in Ice Dance, told TASS:
“It’s absolutely a shame for [dancers Alexandra] Stepanova and [Ivan] Bukin, guys with such a difficult sporting fate. And, of course, for [Anastasia] Mishina and [Alexander] Galliamov, who were among the main contenders for Olympic gold. It’s impossible to explain, impossible to understand. At the moment, I think the most important thing is for us to support all the guys and believe in the best.
“It’s just a lump in my throat, I’m so offended that I cry, really. But I really hope that our time is so fleeting, so many events are happening, and everything is changing so quickly, both the situation and the situation, that we will believe and hope that everything we talk about today, tomorrow can be completely different. But at the moment, of course, this is the height of injustice, the height of bias. I don’t even know what words to find, to be honest.”
● Famed coach Tatyana Tarasova told TASS:
“There is no need to talk about any justice here, only about atrocities on the part of the ISU towards athletes and coaches who work their entire lives, developing the sport so that everyone in the world would look up to them.
“The main thing they wanted was to eliminate competitors, people who would definitely lay claim to leading positions.”
● Dmitry Svishchev, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports, said:
“Of course, it’s good that our leading athletes have been admitted. But they haven’t been admitted in full, and this issue needs to be looked into further.
“These are extraordinary situations that actually create a precedent that if an athlete, in the opinion of an international federation, does not meet its admission requirements, it is impossible to replace him. I admit that with such a unilateral precedent, one can go to court and prove the right to replace the athletes who were not admitted. And then act within the legal framework.
“It is obvious that Russian pairs are the strongest in the world. And ill-wishers will be happy with such a decision. But we need to defend the interests of our athletes. This is the job of the federations.”
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