ISU to allow "neutral" skaters from RUS/BLR to compete at 2026 Olympics

[Skating91]

If M/G were in a show they shouldn't have been, B/K is a good alternative and without the pressure of competing against M/G they'll be completely different skaters not making the usual errors.

Adelia is quite fortunate she's lacked popularity, isn't invited to shows. It's really turned out in her favour, but of course there are many traps along the way.

 

[Karoltyna]

Well.

I missed last two Olympic Games because of the time difference.

And will now miss the next ones because of the ISU being corrupted like hell.

During 2012-2022 I didn't watch FS and it's plausible I'll stop watching it again starting 2026

 

[Mathematician]

If M/G were in a show they shouldn't have been, B/K is a good alternative and without the pressure of competing against M/G they'll be completely different skaters not making the usual errors.

Yes, B/K look clean. Eteri is a genius frankly. She has kept her athletes squeaky clean and under total lockdown for almost 4 years. They are media trained like nobody else. I will be baffled if even the most comprehensive investigation finds any dirt on any of them about the war.

Law has exact language. It says association with a suspended skater. That is a qualification of a person, not a person. Under this rule there is no punishment for association with any person but a qualification. Eteri or Adeliia or anyone in that camp has never at any time had overt, provable "associations" with any individual under the active qualification of suspended.

I am extremely confident Eteri's skaters will be clean for 2026.

 

[Kittosuni]

B/K skated in Plushenko's show in Tula, but might be able to still go. They were more outspoken than Evgeni, as they released a statement before the show about having reached out to the head of the Russian skating federation about not wanting to skate at this show (due to the symbolism used) and were refused any assistance.

RusFed will have to choose one skater, who will then be assessed by the ISU/IOC/etc., they won't be able to send a list.

Just spoke to a judge, their interpretation is that Rusfed will prescreen their chosen skaters and can "ask" guidance/clarification from ISU before they officially submit the skater's name to make sure that particular skater meet all eligibility. If that skater does some dumb sht and break any of the rules/guidelines then Rusfed will have to kiss their one spot goodbye. Substitution due to injury is most likely OK and will follow same rule. More detailed clarification will probably come out in the coming days as Rusfed and other feds will inquire/ask for clarification.

 

[Skating91]

Substitution due to injury is most likely OK and will follow same rule. More detailed clarification will probably come out in the coming days as Rusfed and other feds will inquire/ask for clarification.

They are allowed to select a substitute for the September qualification event in the case of injury leading up to it, it doesn't look as though they can after this.

 

[Kittosuni]

They are allowed to select a substitute for the September qualification event in the case of injury leading up to it, it doesn't look as though they can after this.

This guideline is only for the Olympic Qualification event but we are actually discussing this since that chosen skater is a neutral athlete, that means once she officially secure the spot for the OG then the earned spot is hers and not Rusfed to give away. So yeah injury substitution in the OG is a question mark at this time.

 

[Skating91]

Having to select the skater or pairs one year in advance is an additional trap. So much change for a young skater one year to the next, plus there's always the threat of injury. This is all by design I think.

 

[AlexBreeze]

while others like Stepanova/Bukin were filmed attending pro-war events

It was a political but not pro-war event if we are talking about the same one.

he made a statement later against it, but...

He has never made political statements regarding anything including the event in question.

Nominated Athletes and their support personnel must have not associated in any way with any person serving a period of ineligibility for an Anti-doping rule violation - That could pretty much take out the Tutberidze and Plushenko skaters

And potentially... Dikidzhi?

But what if an athlete just goes without that support personnel?

 

[Jumping_Bean]

It was a political but not pro-war event if we are talking about the same one.

Putin's speech at this event was very much pro-war. Ivan specifically gave thanks for being invited.

He has never made political statements regarding anything including the event in question.

It was not a political statement, it was a statement about being unhappy about how the situation had been handled (the show was delayed because skaters refused to skate due to the intended political connection and were shut down by the federation) or something along those lines, implying that he also wasn't happy with the political association. I think it was just an IG story though, so it wouldn't be available anymore.

 

[AlexBreeze]

Putin's speech at this event was very much pro-war. Ivan specifically gave thanks for being invited.

OK, I didn't follow it.

It was not a political statement, it was a statement about being unhappy about how the situation had been handled (the show was delayed because skaters refused to skate due to the intended political connection and were shut down by the federation) or something along those lines, implying that he also wasn't happy with the political association. I think it was just an IG story though, so it wouldn't be available anymore.

You are mistaking him with someone (Liza?) or with a Twitter rumour. He has never posted or said anything about it (and politics in general).

 

[Jumping_Bean]

You are mistaking him with someone (Liza?) or with a Twitter rumour. He has never posted or said anything about it (and politics in general).

Well, I guess that means his silence will be seen as an implied support of the intended message of the Plushenko show in Tula. Guess he can be crossed off the list too.

 

[skim1001]

Have this been posted here? More details regarding neutral athletes.

https://isudam.blob.core.windows.net/isudamcontainer/AIN_Q&A_Final_20_12_2024_1734686416256.pdf?dm_i=731E,U0DC,10A3PM,437AD,1

 

[Skating91]

It won't be over by February 2025 (deadline to get the neutral status) or September 2025 (qualifying event).

Saying that, I won't continue off-topic in this thread.

@AlexBreeze

The prohibition is against having an association while the skater is serving their suspension so since late January 2024 if you're talking about Valieva. None of these skaters have had anything to do with her since her suspension, none of the coaches.

They are fine.

Before January 2024 she wasn't serving a suspension. CAS themselves overturned the RUSADA interim suspension placed on Valieva at the Olympics.

Let's even ignore the wording of the rule itself.

Are the ISU and IOC going to allow Egadze go to the Olympics despite his association with Valieva at some point in the past, Grassl was associated with Valieva, but not allow Petrosian go to the Olympics because of her association with Valieva at some point in the past?

If it was any person who has served a period of ineligibility you would be correct, but it is whether there has been an association while that person is serving their suspension.

 

[Remilia]

idk, I feel like having coaches who had their star skater test positive for doping at the biggest competition of the quad counts as an association...Personally, I feel like the ISU will say the Eteri girls don't qualify due to that rule. Probably they won't want them there after the absolute shitshow that happened in 2022, but maybe I'm wrong

ofc, if we look at it like that and exclude not only the Eteri girls, but also the cska and aop ones, I'm not sure who they'd send. Would Alina qualify? Maybe Ksenia or Yametova?

 

[Remilia]

But I do hope this means we'll see the skaters allowed back fully in the 26/27 season...there are so many novices/juniors I want to see compete internationally

 

[katymay]

Exciting news!

Huge news. Really shakes things up in women's and pairs.

Inside ISU

Corporate Home - International Skating Union

isu.org

I wish they were allowed at Worlds, and allowed a chance to earn back their quotas. The product on the ice has suffered without the Russian skaters. Personally I think Putin is the personification of evil, and a monster who must be stopped at all costs, but I've never understood killing the dreams of innocent athletes because of a political situation. Especially since the ISU has NOT banned North Korea, China etc., countries which threaten their neighbors as much as or more than Russia.

 

[Moon322]

Are there any reactions already by the Russians (coaches, officials etc?). These conditions are so humiliating and discriminatory to this two nations that I don't know if it's worth going to the Qualifying Event at all.

 

[Mathematician]

Are there any reactions already by the Russians (coaches, officials etc?). These conditions are so humiliating and discriminatory to this two nations that I don't know if it's worth going to the Qualifying Event at all.

Coaches and athletes were asked already. The winners of nats were asked live. Most say they will see what the further rules are and aren't making any conclusions yet or getting too excited. Adeliia for example said shes just focusing on nats for now. Athletes and coaches are careful and not making a big fuss yet publicly.

 

[katymay]

This is normal for any athlete banned by WADA. Active athletes aren't allowed to associate with someone suspended for an anti-doping violation, and none of them have.

And I think what they mean is a Carolina Kostner situation whereby she was living with a boyfriend under suspension.

 

[Skating91]

And I think what they mean is a Carolina Kostner situation whereby she was living with a boyfriend under suspension.

With WADA, they forbid any kind of association between a banned athlete and an active athlete/coaches/support staff during the period of ineligibility.