ISU allows Russian and Belarusian figure skaters to compete as neutrals

The International Skating Union announced that Russian and Belarusian figure skaters may take part in international competitions in the upcoming season as neutral athletes, without national flags or symbols. The decision follows the ban that was imposed after Russia launched its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Finland’s figure skating federation chair Jouko Pitkänen said the Finnish federation has little influence over the ruling and emphasized that participation will depend on athletes not breaching the neutral status. He noted that the upcoming ISU Grand Prix event in Helsinki and the World Championships in Tampere could see one Russian competitor per segment, though no Russian skaters have earned the necessary GP points yet. The International Olympic Committee had previously allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral flag at the Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics.