Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has lost her neutral athlete status, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday.
Revocation of Neutral Status and Eligibility Criteria
According to the source cited by The Associated Press, the International Skating Union initially granted Valieva neutral status under a new rule for the current season. That rule presumes skaters from Russia and Belarus are eligible unless they meet specific disqualification criteria. The governing body later withdrew the status due to concerns that Valieva might violate rules prohibiting neutral status for athletes who have previously supported Russia’s war in Ukraine, the person stated. Reuters independently reported on Sept. 5, 2024, through a source, that Valieva received a letter notifying her of the revocation by the International Skating Union. Russian media first reported the loss of status, and Valieva has not publicly commented on the decision.
Impact on Russian Skaters and Pending Appeals
The International Skating Union also withdrew neutral status from Russian skater Mark Kondratiuk, who competed alongside Valieva as a teammate at the 2022 Winter Olympics, according to the source familiar with the matter. Both athletes have appealed the decisions, with the International Skating Union scheduled to rule on the cases by mid-week. If the governing body upholds the revocations, the athletes can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Under current guidelines, the International Skating Union bars applicants who serve in military or security forces, took part in military operations against Ukraine, or actively and publicly supported the war since 2022.
Historical Context of the 2022 Olympic Doping Case
Valieva was 15 years old during the Beijing 2022 Olympics when a sample she submitted two months prior tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned substance used to prevent angina attacks. The positive test emerged after Valieva helped the Russian team win the gold medal, a result later annulled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to elevate the United States to first place. Valieva finished fourth in the women’s individual event after facing intense scrutiny and criticism at ringside from her coach, Eteri Tutberidze. She served a four-year ban handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that expired in December 2025, after which she returned to competition in domestic Russian events.
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