ISU decision concerning the participation of limited number of Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) at Olympic Qualification Events under strict conditions

Today, the International Skating Union (ISU) announces a pathway to allow a limited number of Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) to participate under strict conditions in designated Olympic Qualifying Events for the 2025/26 season. This decision applies to Figure Skating, Speed Skating, and Short Track Speed Skating disciplines under the Olympic Qualification System (OQS) for Milano Cortina 2026. 

Recognizing that competing in the Olympic Winter Games is the pinnacle of any skater’s career, the ISU has carefully examined the feasibility of implementing the IOC’s recommendations on creating a pathway to facilitate the participation of athletes affiliated with ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

The ISU noted the peaceful participation of AINs at the Olympic Summer Games in Paris 2024 and with this perspective in mind, reaffirms its commitment to fostering safe, peaceful, and fair competitions at Milano Cortina 2026.

Following thorough deliberations, the ISU has decided to adapt the implementation of ISU Communication 2469. The new participation conditions will only apply to the below designated competitions forming part of the OQS and will not apply to ISU competitions and Championships in general. 

Designated competitions

Only one neutral athlete (including one pair in Pair Skating and one couple in Ice Dance) from the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and only one neutral athlete (including one pair for Pair Skating and one couple for Ice Dance) from the Skating Union of Belarus may be eligible to participate per event in designated OQS competitions, with no relay or team participation. 

The participation is limited to the following provisionally allotted competitions:

Figure Skating:

• ISU Figure Skating Olympic Qualifying Competition – September 17-21, 2025 – Beijing, China

Short Track:

• ISU Short Track World Tour – October 16-19, 2025 – Montreal, Canada
• ISU Short Track World Tour – October 23-26, 2025 – Salt Lake City, USA
• ISU Short Track World Tour – November 20-23, 2025 – Gdansk, Poland
• ISU Short Track World Tour – November 27-30, 2025 – Dordrecht, Netherlands

Speed Skating

• ISU World Cup Speed Skating – November 14-16, 2025 – Salt Lake City, USA
• ISU World Cup Speed Skating – November 21-23, 2025 – Calgary, Canada
• ISU World Cup Speed Skating – December 5-7, 2025 – Heerenveen, Netherlands
• ISU World Cup Speed Skating – December 12-14, 2025 – Hamar, Norway

Protective measures and conditions

The following protective measures remain valid and the following strict conditions will apply:

• A strict and comprehensive Focused Olympic Anti-Doping Program will be put in place. 
• Athletes and their Support Personnel will undergo careful examination of public statements and appearances to see if individuals may have supported the invasion of Ukraine.
• Athletes and their Support Personnel shall not be contractually linked with the Russian or Belarusian military or with any other national security agency. 
• Full compliance with all ISU Statutes, including the ISU Code of Ethics.
• Absence of flags, anthems and all other representations or references to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus at the designated OQS.
• If a Nominated Athlete breaches the Eligibility Criteria or other conditions of AIN participation, the ISU Council may withdraw the status of AIN and/or their Support Personnel. No substitution will be allowed.
• No ISU Events and International Competitions shall be held in the territories of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. 
• The new conditions do not apply to Officials, who remain banned from ISU competitions and the designated OQS competitions.

Continued support for Ukraine

Throughout, the ISU has maintained its condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine. The ISU also continues to provide financial support to Ukrainian skaters in several ways:

• A support package for Ukrainian skaters through the ISU Development Program
• A significant contribution for the Ukrainian Skating Federations and its members made available by ISU
• A support program for displaced Ukrainian skaters

Further details may be found in ISU Communication 2680. A Q&A is also available to address specific questions in relation to the topic.