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Russian skaters to participate in 2026 Olympic qualifiers under strict conditions

Among the listed conditions is "absence of flags, anthems and all other representations or references to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus"

THE HAGUE, December 20. /TASS/. The International Skating Union (ISU) will allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to take part in Olympic qualifiers, but only under strict conditions, which among other things prohibit national flags and anthems during the qualifying events, the ISU’s press office said in a statement on Friday.

The organization announced on Friday that it decided "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."

Among the listed conditions is: "Absence of flags, anthems and all other representations or references to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus at the designated OQS," the statement reads adding that Russian and Belarusian athletes will be competing in the Olympic qualifiers under the ISU flag.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus as well as their accompanying staff are also prohibited from attending press conferences, appearing in post-competition mixed zones with journalists or giving any media interviews during the competition. They will also need approval from an anti-doping laboratory outside their countries, according to ISU’s announced requirements.

"Athletes and their Support Personnel will undergo careful examination of public statements and appearances to see if individuals may have supported" the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as well as "athletes and their support personnel shall not be contractually linked with the Russian or Belarusian military or with any other national security agency," the ISU noted in its statement.

"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," the statement added.

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.

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