The International Skating Union (ISU) announces it is lifting a ban that has kept Russian and Belarusian skaters and officials out of ISU events since February 2022. In a decision announced Tuesday, the ISU allows athletes from Russia and Belarus to return to international competitions next season, including the World Championships and ISU Grand Prix events, but only under an approved neutral status. Under the neutral conditions, skaters compete without national symbols tied to their countries, including flags, anthems, and other state emblems.
The outlets reporting on the decision describe the move as the first return of Russian and Belarusian skaters to ISU international events under these neutral restrictions since the full military invasion of Ukraine. The coverage also notes future ISU event locations, with Finland hosting the 2027 figure skating World Championships and South Korea hosting the 2027 short track world championships.
Overall, the reporting is consistent that the ban is removed, but participation is permitted only with neutral designation and without national symbols.
