Following the decisions of the ISU Council (ISU Communication 2708), the International Skating Union (ISU) has today published the list of Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) who have passed a special screening process, marking the first step toward their potential eligibility for participation in the ISU Olympic Qualification skating events leading up to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. 

On December 20, 2024, the ISU announced that a limited number of skaters affiliated with ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) could be granted opportunities to compete in designated Olympic Qualification events during the 2025/26 season as AINs (read here). The ISU’s decision, made in accordance with IOC recommendations, recognises that Olympic Winter Games remain the pinnacle of any skater’s career. 

Following the process established by the ISU, the Russian Skating Union, the Figure Skating Federation of Russia and the Skating Union of Belarus nominated AIN skaters and their respective substitutes (in case of injury only) for each discipline in Figure Skating and each distance in Speed Skating and Short Track. These nominated AINs subsequently underwent a special screening process conducted by an ISU panel, in line with IOC guidelines and with the support of an experienced independent external provider.

This process thoroughly examined public appearances and statements made by the nominated AINs since February 2022, to assess any active support for the invasion of Ukraine or any contractual links to Russian or Belarusian military and other national security agencies. While nominations were submitted for all the disciplines and distances open to AIN participation, not all nominated athletes passed the rigorous screening. By extension, their designated substitutes were also deemed ineligible, as substitution is permitted only in case of injury, not on grounds of ineligibility. Consequently, there are some disciplines or distances for which no AIN skaters will be entered. 

The final list of AIN screened skaters (read here) was presented to and approved by the ISU Council (read Decisions of the ISU Council – ISU Communication 2708). However, should any new evidence arise proving a breach of the eligibility criteria for a specific skater, the list of eligible AINs published today may be subject to change. Anyone with relevant information may make a confidential submission to the ISU by email: ain@isu.org. 

To be eligible to participate in the ISU’s Olympic Qualification events, the AINs and relevant substitutes having passed the special screening process will now be subject to a Focused Olympic Anti-Doping Program that has been developed and is being delivered in conjunction with the International Testing Agency (ITA). This includes targeted testing, monitoring of athlete biological passports, and oversight of whereabouts compliance in line with WADA standards.

Meanwhile, the ISU maintains its condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine. The ISU also continues to provide financial support to Ukrainian skaters in several ways, in particular through the ISU Development program

The full list of AINs having passed the special screening process may be found in ISU Communication 2708.   

All details of the eligibility criteria and conditions for AIN participation to the ISU Olympic Qualification events can be found in ISU Communication 2680. 

A FAQ is also available to address specific questions in relation to the topic.