Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva will not compete internationally this year after the International Skating Union revoked her neutral athlete status.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Valieva received a letter informing her about the ISU decision.
The ISU declined to comment, while Valieva’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Russian athletes have faced restrictions from international competitions since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
However, the ISU created a pathway allowing selected Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as individual neutral athletes.
Applicants must undergo strict screening and background checks before receiving neutral status. They also cannot support Russia’s war or have links to its military or security services.
Without neutral status, Valieva cannot enter ISU competitions, collect world ranking points or compete for international titles.
Neutral Status Withdrawn
According to an Associated Press source, authorities withdrew Valieva’s status because of a potential breach of eligibility criteria.
Valieva, now 20, became the center of controversy at the 2022 Beijing Olympics after testing positive for banned substance trimetazidine.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport imposed a four-year suspension in 2024. Officials backdated the ban to her December 2021 positive test.
Her failed test emerged after she helped Russia secure team gold at the Beijing Games. Consequently, officials annulled Russia’s result and awarded the gold medal to the United States.
Ukraine Calls for Stricter Screening
Valieva returned to competition at Russia’s Jumping Championships in February. However, she remained ineligible for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Figure Skating Federation urged the ISU to strengthen its screening process for Russian and Belarusian athletes.
The federation called for stricter background checks, continuous monitoring and public condemnation of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
