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ISU votes to extend Russian ice skaters’ suspension from international competitions

This decision will remain in force until the ISU Council or Congress makes a decision to overturn it

© AP Photo/Andy Wong

MOSCOW, June 7. /TASS/. The International Skating Union (ISU) has decided at its Congress to extend the suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions until further notice, ISU Director General Fredi Schmid said on Tuesday.

According to the official, the ban on the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in ISU competitions would remain in force until the ISU Council or Congress made a decision to overturn it.

The 58th ISU Ordinary Congress is taking place in Phuket, Thailand, between June 6 and 10, 2022. According to the ISU, "In 2022 almost 250 proposals will be discussed and voted by the Congress. Additionally, elections for ISU Office Holders positions will take place."

Sanctions against Russian sports

On March 1, the International Skating Union announced a decision to provisionally suspend all athletes from Russia and Belarus. The suspension was enforced in regard to figure skating, speed skating and short-track speed skating competitions. Russia was scheduled to host 2022 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix on November 25-27.

In late April, the Council of the International Skating Union (ISU) canceled Russia’s stage of the 2022/2023 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series.

The ISU also confirmed in its statement at the time that "Until further notice no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International Competitions, including ISU Championships and other ISU Events."

On February 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued recommendations to international sports federations to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from taking part in international tournaments referring to a special military operation in Ukraine.

Following the IOC recommendations in late February, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments.

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