The Russian Federation is discussing with the ISU a neutral status for athletes who were not allowed to qualify for the Olympic Games 2026

The Russian side is discussing with the International Skating Union (ISU) the possibility of obtaining neutral status for athletes who were not allowed to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics. This was announced on May 13 by the Skating Union of Russia (TFR).

Earlier in the day, the ISU approved applications for participation in the qualifying tournament for the 2026 Olympics for 22 Russian figure skaters, speed skaters and short-track athletes. A similar decision was made at the request of six figure skaters and seven skaters from Belarus.

"The TFR is in constant dialogue with the ISU on the issue of obtaining neutral status for athletes not listed in the received list [of approved applications]," the Russian organization's Telegram channel says.

Side by side with the IOC: will the changes in the ROC charter lead to the return of our athletes

Now international organizations don't even have formal reasons to ban Russians.

On April 9, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the organization is discussing with the winter sports federations the possibility of athletes from Russia and Belarus participating in the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy. It is specified that a decision was made on the participation of Russians and Belarusians in ski mountaineering, and it is also planned to resume their participation in speed skating, figure skating and short track.