by Daphne Backman with reporting and contributions from Anne Calder

On June 30, 2026, the International Skating Union (ISU) released Communication 2804, officially ending the nearly four-year ban on Russian and Belarusian skaters competing in ISU Championships, Grand Prix events, and other international competitions. Beginning with the 2026-27 season, eligible athletes from both countries may return as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) under strict eligibility requirements.

To help explain how the ban began, how it evolved, and what the new rules mean, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions using information from ISU Communications 2466, 2469, and 2804, along with the ISU’s accompanying Questions & Answers: Adaptation of ISU Communication 2469 – Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs).

Why were Russian and Belarusian skaters banned from international competition?

The ban stemmed directly from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Four days later, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that international sports federations exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competition.

March 1, 2022, the ISU adopted the IOC recommendation, barring skaters and officials affiliated with Russia and Belarus from all ISU Championships and international competitions. The ruling also prohibited Russia and Belarus from hosting any ISU international competitions during that time.

The ISU emphasized that these measures were not intended as sanctions or disciplinary action against individual athletes. Instead, they were implemented to protect the safety of participants and preserve the integrity of international competition.

After the ISU Council met online on April 24, 2022, ISU Communication 2469 – Decisions of the ISU Council – War in Ukraine/Protective Measures – was posted with additional details.

What impact did the ban have on figure skating?

The effects were immediate.  The 2022 World Championships held in Montpelier, France March 21-27 was greatly impacted when 2022 Olympic medalists were banned from the event.

When the ban continued into the 2022-23 season, the ISU reorganized the Grand Prix Series. Russia’s annual Rostelecom Cup was removed from the schedule and replaced with Grand Prix Espoo (now called Finlandia Trophy) in Finland.

How long has the ban been in place?

The ban on participation in ISU Championships, Grand Prix events, and other international competitions has remained in effect for nearly four years. The ISU announced an end to the blanket ban on June 30, 2026. The announcement allows eligible athletes to return under strict neutrality requirements for the 2026-27 season.

Were Russian and Belarusian skaters completely excluded during those four years?

The only exception came in December 2024, when the ISU announced that a limited number of athletes could attempt to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) in designated Olympic qualifying events during the 2025-26 season. Those athletes:

competed under AIN status without their national flag, anthem or official uniform;
underwent extensive eligibility screening;
had to demonstrate they had not publicly supported the war in Ukraine or served in the active military.

In addition, skaters competed under AIN status with no national flags, uniforms or anthems.

Not all of the athletes nominated by Russia and Belarus passed the eligibility screening. Only three figure skaters (two from Russia and two from Belarus) were approved to compete at the Road to Milano Olympic qualifying event in September 2025. Of those four athletes, three qualified to compete in Milano-Cortina.

Why did the ISU decide to allow athletes to return?

On June 30, 2026, the ISU announced in Communication 2804 that the blanket ban would end beginning with the 2026-27 season.

The Council cited several reasons for the decision:

the successful participation of neutral athletes during Olympic qualifying events;
the absence of safety or security incidents during the 2026 Olympic Winter Games;
updated recommendations issued by the IOC; and
the principle that eligibility should be based on an individual’s actions rather than nationality alone.

The ISU also noted that it had been monitoring developments across the Olympic Movement and the approaches taken by other international federations before deciding to ease its restrictions.

What rules must athletes follow now?

Russian and Belarusian skaters may return only as Neutral Athletes (AINs) and remain subject to strict eligibility requirements.

To compete, athletes:

cannot skate under their country’s flag, anthem or national uniform;
cannot be serving in the military or national security agencies;
cannot have participated in military operations since February 2022;
cannot have publicly supported the war in Ukraine since February 2022;
must undergo an individual eligibility review by the ISU.

Athletes and their support personnel must also sign an official acknowledgement agreeing to these conditions, understanding that their neutral status can be revoked if they violate the rules.

Will the restrictions continue to ease, or could they be reinstated?

The ISU stated in Communication 2804 that it will continue monitoring conditions at its events and may further ease restrictions if no safety or integrity concerns arise. However, it also reserves the right to reinstate or strengthen the measures should circumstances change, while continuing to consider the broader international sporting landscape.

Are Russian and Belarusian judges returning as well?

No. The ISU’s decision applies only to athletes and approved support personnel.

Judges, referees and other officials from Russia and Belarus remain ineligible to officiate at ISU events, and the ISU has not established a timeline for their return.

Does participation include World Team Trophy?

Neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus are now eligible to compete in ISU team events, such as World Team Trophy, as part of an AIN team, provided they meet the standard qualification requirements. These teams will compete without national flags, uniforms, or anthems, and every athlete must continue to satisfy the ISU’s neutrality and eligibility criteria.

Was the ban connected to the Kamila Valieva doping case?

No. However, the two issues became intertwined during the same Olympic cycle.

Valieva’s positive test for the banned substance trimetazidine, collected at the 2021 Russian Championships, was not reported until after the Beijing Olympics had begun because of testing and reporting delays.

The fallout reshaped the sport:

CAS disqualified Valieva’s Olympic results and imposed a four-year suspension.
The United States was upgraded to Olympic team gold, Japan to silver and the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) to bronze.
The ISU raised the minimum age for senior competition from 15 to 17, one of the most significant rule changes in modern figure skating.

Does this mean Russian and Belarusian skaters are fully back?

While the blanket ban has been lifted, athletes are still competing under a neutral designation rather than representing their countries. They remain subject to ongoing eligibility reviews, cannot display national symbols, and the ISU has reserved the right to reinstate restrictions if future safety or integrity concerns arise. Athletes may also continue to face practical challenges, including visa requirements imposed by host countries.

In addition, Russia and Belarus will only have the minimum number of entries (one per discipline) for 2027 ISU Championship events, including the World Championships, World Junior Championships and European Championships.

Did the ISU change its stance on the war in Ukraine?

The ISU stated in Communication 2804 that its decision to readmit Russian and Belarusian athletes as neutral competitors does not represent a change in its position on the war. The organization reiterated that it continues to condemn armed conflict and remains committed to supporting Ukrainian skaters through financial assistance, development programs, and aid for displaced athletes. The decision was presented as a controlled, safety-based adjustment to its participation policy rather than a shift in its views on the conflict.