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Russia’s prominent figure skating coach Tarasova lauds ISU’s recent decision

Last week, the International Skating Union (ISU) announced a decision to clear Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Olympic qualifiers

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. A decision to allow Russian figure skaters to participate in the qualification tournaments ahead of 2026 Olympic Games is ‘the event of the year,’ renowned figure skating coach Tatiana Tarasova said in an interview with Russia’s sports daily Sport-Express daily.

"The most important event is the admission of our figure skaters to qualify for the 2026 Olympic Games," Tarasova said. "We still have chances of participating in the Olympics, and I had no doubts about it."

"However, it is a thoroughly serious and grand event for athletes as well as for their coaching staff, who work all their lives to achieve this aim," she added.

Last week, the International Skating Union (ISU) announced a decision to clear Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Olympic qualifiers, but only under strict conditions, which among other things prohibit national flags and anthems during the qualifying events.

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.

Russian Olympic champ Nagorny welcomes ISU’s decision to clear Russian athletes

"It's great when athletes, who devoted their lives to what they chose to do, get the chance once again of competing internationally, to win medals that they can bring home," he said

Russian Olympic champ Nagorny welcomes ISU’s decision to clear Russian athletes

"It's great when athletes, who devoted their lives to what they chose to do, get the chance once again of competing internationally, to win medals that they can bring home," he said

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Russia’s prominent figure skating coach Tarasova lauds ISU’s recent decision

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