Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has neutral athlete status revoked, AP source says
Summary
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has lost her permission to compete internationally as a neutral athlete, according to a source. This decision relates to concerns that she may have supported Russia’s war in Ukraine, which is against new rules from the International Skating Union (ISU).Key Facts
- Kamila Valieva’s neutral status to compete internationally was revoked due to concerns about her possible support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Valieva was initially allowed to compete under a new ISU rule that assumes Russian and Belarusian skaters can compete unless they meet disqualifying criteria.
- Valieva tested positive for a banned drug in 2022, which affected her results at the Beijing Olympics.
- The ISU has removed neutral status from another Russian skater, Mark Kondratiuk.
- Both athletes have appealed and the ISU is expected to decide by next week; if denied, they can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
- The ISU barred Russian and Belarusian athletes in 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine but later allowed some to compete as neutrals under certain conditions.
- The rules prevent skaters involved in military activity or publicly supporting Russia’s war from competing neutrally.
- Valieva served a ban until December 2025 and has since competed in Russian domestic events.
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