Monday, October 27, 2025
Technology

Russia banned as neutral athletes at Winter qualifiers

Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) - athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport - have been banned from many sports since the war against Ukraine began in 2022. Russian figure skaters Adeliia Petrosian and Viktoriia Safonova have secured their places at the Winter Games but will have to compete as AINs. Last month, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted to lift partial suspensions meaning Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete under their own flag at the Paralympics and World Para-sport events. The Winter Paralympics take place from 6-15 March. In a statement, the FIS said: "The International Olympic Committee's AIN regime has been set out as a possible pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Olympic Games, with each International Federation remaining responsible for the decision on whether to allow these athletes to take part in its existing qualification system."

Russia banned as neutral athletes at Winter qualifiers

Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) - athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport - have been banned from many sports since the war against Ukraine began in 2022.

Russian figure skaters Adeliia Petrosian and Viktoriia Safonova have secured their places at the Winter Games but will have to compete as AINs.

Last month, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted to lift partial suspensions meaning Russian and Belarusian athletes could compete under their own flag at the Paralympics and World Para-sport events.

The Winter Paralympics take place from 6-15 March.

In a statement, the FIS said: "The International Olympic Committee's AIN regime has been set out as a possible pathway for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the Olympic Games, with each International Federation remaining responsible for the decision on whether to allow these athletes to take part in its existing qualification system."

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