Russian short-track cyclist Ivan Posashkov will compete at the 2026 Olympics: who is he and what is he known for

Russian short track cyclist Ivan Posashkov has received an official invitation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The athlete has qualified for four World Cup stages, has become one of the leaders of the Russian short track and already has victories at the Russian Championship and the Universiade. Read more about how Posashkov made it to the Olympics, what is known about him and what to expect from his performance at the 2026 Olympics in the Izvestia article.

Biography of Ivan Posashkov

Ivan Posashkov was born on August 6, 2004 in St. Petersburg. Since childhood, he showed interest in ice sports: his parents brought him to the Dynamo Saint Petersburg Ice Sports Academy, where the boy began training under the guidance of Artyom Volikov. At first, Ivan considered classic speed skating, but soon he completely switched to short track, a dynamic and tactically challenging discipline.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Russian Skating Federation

As a teenager, Posashkov moved to a new level of training as part of the national team, where Andrei Maksimov became his mentor. Today, the athlete has the status of a Master of Sports of Russia of international class and combines his career with studies at the P.F. Lesgaft National State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Health in St. Petersburg.

Sports career of Ivan Posashkov

Ivan's first major successes came at the junior level. At the age of 15, he made his international debut at a tournament in Bialystok (Poland), where he competed at 500 and 1,500 m distances. In the 2021/22 season, Posashkov won gold in the 3,000 m relay at the selection for the Russian championship and bronze in the 500 m at the Victor Ahn Junior Cup.

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She consistently went to the title of national champion.

His adult debut took place in the 2022/23 season: at the Cup of Russia, Ivan took silver in the 5 thousand relay. m in Kolomna and bronze for 1 thousand . m in Ufa. In the following years, he steadily progressed, regularly rising to the podium at domestic competitions. In the 2023/24 season, Posashkov won bronze in the 1,000 m at the Russian Championships, won the relay in the final of the Cup of Russia, and also became the champion in the team race and the 1,000 m medalist at the All-Russian Universiade.

Ivan Posashkov

Photo: vk.com/Skating Union of Russia

The 2024/25 season brought silver as part of the St. Petersburg team at the Russian Championship, victory in the overall relay competition of the Cup of Russia and bronze in the 1,000 m at individual stages. In December 2025, Posashkov became the Russian champion in the 5,000 m relay, it was his first individual title at the national level in the relay format.

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Selection for the 2026 Olympics and the role in the national team

The selection for the 2026 Olympic Games in the short track was based on the results of four World Cup stages of the 2024/25 season - two in Canada (Montreal), Poland (Gdansk) and the Netherlands (Dordrecht). From Russia, Ivan Posashkov and Daniil Nikolaev competed in the men's 1,000 m distance, both in neutral status. Posashkov finished 22nd in the overall ISU 1000 m ranking with 2111 points. His stage results were 12th and 35th in Canada, 26th in Poland, and 28th in the Netherlands. This allowed him to beat Nikolayev (24th place) and win the Olympic quota for the country in the men's 1000-meter.

Photo: Legion-Media/Orange Pictures

On January 12, 2026, the IOC officially invited Posashkov to participate in the Games as an individual Neutral Athlete (AIN). The athlete accepted the invitation and became one of five Russian athletes who confirmed their participation in Milan-Cortina. According to the ISU regulations, he will be declared primarily for 1 thousand meters, but if necessary, he can go to other distances.

The personal life of Ivan Posashkov

Ivan Posashkov does not advertise the details of his personal life, he rarely gives interviews and prefers to devote most of his day to training. The athlete is known for his calm nature and professional approach to business.

Olympics 2026: what to expect

The Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will be held from 6 to 22 February 2026. The short track will be one of the most spectacular sports, and the attention to the competition is traditionally great. Posashkov's performance is scheduled for February 12 and 14.

The athlete has the opportunity to compete for medals, show a high level of skill and confirm his success in qualifying. The 2026 Olympics may become one of the main career tests and the starting point for new heights in short track.