THE HAGUE, December 20. /TASS/. The International Skating Union (ISU) has cleared athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate under a neutral status in qualifying events for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, the union’s press office said in a statement on Friday.

"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," the statement reads. "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," according to the statement.

According to the world’s governing body of ice skating sports, "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."

Ice skating athletes from Russia and Belarus have been barred from taking part in international tournaments since March 1, 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict.

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be held in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo between February 6 and 22, 2026.