International Skating Union Maintains Ban on Russian and Belarusian Athletes

Current Status of ISU Sanctions

The International Skating Union (ISU) has maintained its suspension of athletes and officials from the Russian Federation and Belarus from all international competitions. Despite ongoing discussions regarding the participation of athletes from these nations in international sports, the ISU Council has consistently upheld the measures originally implemented in March 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.

Basis for the Continued Ban

The governing body has stated that the decision to maintain the ban is based on the need to ensure the safety of participants and the integrity of competitions. In official communications, the ISU has emphasized that the situation remains under review, but the conditions required to lift the suspension have not been met. The ISU has stated, 'The Council will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the ISU activities and will evaluate the situation at its future meetings.'

Impact on International Competition

The ongoing exclusion means that top skaters from Russia and Belarus remain ineligible for major international events, including:

• ISU World Figure Skating Championships
• ISU European Figure Skating Championships
• ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series

This policy has significantly altered the landscape of international figure skating, as Russian athletes have historically been major contenders in the sport. The ISU remains committed to its current stance, prioritizing the stability of its events over the reintegration of athletes from the sanctioned nations.

Conclusion

As of June 2026, there has been no change in the ISU's policy regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian skaters. The organization continues to enforce the ban, and no path for these athletes to compete as neutral participants has been established by the governing body at this time.