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Russian Skater Kamila Valieva Refused Neutral Status Again as International Ban Confirmed
Confirmed
In Short: Kamila Valieva, a Russian figure skater, has been denied permission to compete internationally once more, following a second round of checks after her status as a neutral athlete was revoked.
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has again been refused permission to compete internationally, according to reports from multiple outlets. The International Skating Union (ISU) has deemed Valieva and three other Russian skaters, all 2022 Olympians, not to 'satisfy the requirements to participate as Individual Neutral Athletes.
The ISU's decision comes after Valieva was initially granted neutral status, only for it to be revoked shortly thereafter. The ISU's rules state that neutral status can be refused if skaters serve in military or security forces, have joined military operations against Ukraine, or have 'actively and publicly supported that war' since 2022.
Valieva and the other skaters can appeal within three weeks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Meanwhile, Valieva is also taking legal action regarding the procedure surrounding her doping ban, which concluded late last year. A document published by the European Court of Human Rights revealed that Valieva has brought a claim against Switzerland over a Swiss supreme court ruling from last year, when she attempted to overturn her suspension.
Neither Valieva nor the Russian figure skating federation provided an immediate response or comment. The ISU has permitted a greater number of Russians to compete as neutral athletes this season, having initially barred most following the invasion of Ukraine. Skaters from Russia and its ally Belarus were originally barred by the ISU in 2022, though a limited number were permitted to return for last season's qualifying event and the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Two Russian figure skaters, Adeliia Petrosian and Petr Gumennik, took part in the Games as neutrals without national flags or symbols, though neither achieved a medal. The ISU's policy structure has meant that skaters such as Valieva were briefly deemed eligible after filing the necessary paperwork for neutral status, only for that status to be revoked shortly afterwards.
What's confirmed
- FILE - Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva competes at the Russian Jumping Championships in Moscow on Jan.
- FILE - Kamila Valieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts in the women's team free skate program during the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb.
- Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has again been refused permission to compete internationally following a second round of checks after her status as a neutral athlete was revoked.
- The International Skating Union says Valieva was one of four Russian skaters, all 2022 Olympians, who were deemed not to “satisfy the requirements to participate as Individual Neutral Athletes.” The others are men’s skater Mark Kondratiuk and the ice dance team of Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin.
- Valieva and the other skaters can appeal within three weeks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
- The International Skating Union on Thursday said Valieva was one of four Russian skaters, all 2022 Olympians, who were deemed not to “satisfy the requirements to participate as Individual Neutral Athletes.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content.
What's still developing
- This latest career obstacle arrives more than four years after controversy surrounding Valieva’s positive doping test overshadowed the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.