ISU Revokes Neutral Status for Kamila Valieva and Other Russian Figure Skaters

The International Skating Union (ISU) has stripped Russian figure skaters Kamila Valieva and Mark Kondratiuk of their neutral athlete status. The ISU also determined that ice dance duo Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin fail to meet the requirements for participation. According to the ISU, these athletes no longer satisfy the eligibility criteria following individual assessments. Under ISU rules, neutral status is denied to athletes who serve in the armed forces or national security agencies, participate in the war against Ukraine, or actively and publicly support the conflict. Valieva and Kondratiuk had been granted neutral status in August 2026, but the decision was reversed by early September. While the ISU did not officially disclose the specific reasons for the reversal, reports indicate concerns that the criteria may have been violated. Valieva may appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The center right source provides additional context regarding Valieva's history, noting her four year retroactive ban following a positive doping test for trimetazidine during the 2022 Beijing Olympics.