International Skating Union Granted Neutral Status to Skaters
Thirteen Russian figure skaters received approval to compete as neutral athletes in international tournaments.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Ice Skating
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The International Skating Union has granted neutral status to 13 Russian figure skaters, allowing them to participate in international competitions. This move follows an earlier recommendation from the International Olympic Committee to lift restrictions on Russian athletes.
Why it matters
The decision marks a significant shift in international sports policy after a long-standing ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes. It follows the International Olympic Committee's decision in July 2026 to reinstate the Russian Olympic Committee and ease participation rules.
The International Skating Union approved 13 Russian skaters for neutral participation, following the presence of two Russian skaters at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. These athletes are cleared to compete throughout the 2026/27 season.
The players
International Skating Union
The International Skating Union is the international governing body for competitive ice skating sports, including figure skating and speed skating.
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is the non-governmental sports organization responsible for organizing the modern Olympic Games.
The details
The newly cleared athletes include Agata Petrova, Sofia Sarnovskaya, Sofia Smagina, Makar Ignatov, Nikolay Kolesnikov, Polina Zharova, Alexey Stolyarov, Taisia Sheptalina, Dmitry Pekin, Vladislav Mikhailov, Sandra Davydenko, Ignat Pakhomov, and Stepan Marishin. This action concludes a period of exclusion that began in March 2022.
Timeline
March 2022: The ISU suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from international tournaments.
2026 Winter Olympic Games: Two Russian skaters competed as neutral athletes.
July 2026: The International Olympic Committee recommended lifting participation restrictions.
September 22, 2026: The ISU granted neutral status to 13 additional skaters.
2026/27 season: Neutral status participation begins for the Russian skaters.
Season Trajectory
The entry of these 13 skaters alters the competitive landscape for the 2026/27 season by reintroducing a significant contingent of Russian talent to the international circuit. This shift impacts the qualification paths and podium projections for upcoming major skating events.
The inclusion of these 13 skaters means that upcoming international events will feature a larger field of competitors, potentially impacting scoring thresholds and final standings. Fans and analysts should monitor the 2026/27 season results to see how these returning athletes influence the established hierarchy.
The takeaway
The move signals a return to a more inclusive, albeit neutral, field for global figure skating competitions. Enthusiasts should note that these skaters will perform without national affiliations, maintaining the specific neutral protocols established after 2022.
Further reading
For more background on current competitive standards, visit the Ice Skating section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TASS.
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