International Skating Union bans participants from Russia and Belarus until further notice

After UEFA, FIFA, and IOC, International Skating Union has also decided to put a ban on players from Russia. The global skating governing body announced its decision to ban participants from Russia and Belarus on Tuesday, following an IOC memorandum on Monday. The International Olympic Committee, in its release on Monday, had urged International Sports Federations to “not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions”.

Now, the ISU has also decided to do the same. The governing body released a statement in this regard and cleared its stand on the ongoing dispute between Russia and Ukraine. It reiterated its solidarity with Ukraine and announced its decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus.

“Following the IOC recommendation, in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.i.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating Competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus,” said ISU in its statement.

Earlier, IOC had issued a statement clarifying its Executive Board’s decision. It listed a few points requesting Sports Federations worldwide to not entertain any Russian or Belarusian athletes to any competition.

“Wherever this is not possible on short notice for organisational or legal reasons, the IOC EB strongly urges International Sports Federations and organisers of sports events worldwide to do everything in their power to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus.

“Russian or Belarusian nationals, be it as individuals or teams, should be accepted only as neutral athletes or neutral teams. No national symbols, colours, flags or anthems should be displayed,” said IOC in one of its points.