ISU Revokes Neutral Status for Russian Skaters

The International Skating Union has revoked Kamila Valieva’s status as an Individual Neutral Athlete, preventing the Russian figure skater from competing internationally despite her return to domestic competition after completing a four-year doping ban. Valieva, who was 15 when a positive test for trimetazidine overshadowed the 2022 Beijing Olympics, was stripped of Russia’s team gold after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld her doping violation. The ISU did not say which neutrality requirement she failed, though reports cited possible support for Russia’s war in Ukraine; the rules also bar athletes serving in the military or security services or participating in military operations. The ISU likewise revoked the neutral status of Russian skaters Mark Kondratiuk, Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin. Russia’s sports minister said the skaters and the Russian Figure Skating Federation intend to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.