ISU allowed Russian athletes to participate in tournaments in a neutral status

The International Skating Union (ISU) has decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions under the auspices of the organization in a neutral status. This was announced on Tuesday, June 30, by the ISU press service on the union's website.

The decision comes into force from the 2026/27 season. According to the document, athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to participate in ISU events without state symbols: national flags, anthem and equipment with the symbols of the countries.

Admission also applies to team disciplines, including synchronized skating, team pursuit in speed skating, relay races in short track and the World Team Trophy World Team Championship. In these types of programs, athletes will be represented as a "team of individual neutral athletes" (AIN).

The decision on admission was made taking into account the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), published in December 2025 and May 2026. The ISU noted that the union's position was influenced by the successful experience of neutral athletes participating in qualifying tournaments and at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo without incident.

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The International Sailing Federation has allowed Russian juniors to compete under the national flag and anthem. In addition, the World Sailing Council lifted all restrictions in force since 2022 on Belarusian athletes, judges and staff, including requirements for neutral status and a ban on the use of national symbols.