ISU revokes neutral status for Russian skaters Valieva and Kondratiuk
The International Skating Union has rejected appeals by Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Mark Kondratiuk against the withdrawal of their neutral athlete status. Ice dancers Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin also failed to retain the status.
The International Skating Union (ISU) has turned down appeals filed by Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Mark Kondratiuk, who sought to overturn the withdrawal of their neutral athlete status — a designation that would have permitted them to compete in international events.
According to the ISU, individual eligibility reviews determined that both Kondratiuk and Valieva no longer meet the criteria required to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes. The same conclusion was reached regarding the Russian ice dance pair Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin, who also failed to satisfy the requirements.
Status granted, then reversed
The ISU had granted Valieva and Kondratiuk neutral athlete status in August 2026, only to reverse that decision by early September without publicly stating its reasoning.
Under ISU regulations, athletes cannot hold neutral status if they serve in the armed forces or national security agencies, take part in the war against Ukraine on Russia's side, or actively and publicly express support for it.
