Russian Skaters Allowed to Compete as Neutrals (AIN) to Qualify for 2026 Winter Olympics

[MacMadame]

I cannot believe that you are still incapable of reading simple English, because that's not what I said. Like, ever.

Here, this is aimed at you:

Care to explain whether this applies to Israel/America? And if not, why?

I am remembering why I have you on ignore. And yes, that's exactly what you said.

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

I am remembering why I have you on ignore. And yes, that's exactly what you said.

No, it's not.

No one argues that Russia started an abhorrent agression, no one argues that Russia is at fault and no one argues that Russia broke the Olympic Charter.

The points are different.
1. The Olympic Charter demands end of hostilities for the period of the Olympic Games, which is not the same as "not starting hostilities". So it's not just Russia that broke the Olympic Charter, but also dozens of other states over the years, yet Russia is the only one that got banned ever.
2. Even if we redefine "end of hostilities" to "not starting hostilities" there are other examples of wars starting during the so-called "Olympic truce" with no reaction from the IOC, so once again, it's a selective punishment of Russia (albeit, mostly vs. the same Russia on other occasions... But not only).
3. Even if we ignore all that, with all the disdain of current Belarussian regime, ban of Belarus can't be legally justified. "Accomplice" is not part of the Olympic Charter whatever the interpretation is.
4. It is absolutely not feasible for IOC to enforce the "Olympic Truce" because that would ban half the world and implode this organization from within.
5. An international non-political organization can't legally apply its charter selectively based on the mood of the public in sertain states without compromising its integrity; and once it compromises its integrity, it might find itself in uneasy position - which is what is happening now.

So it's reasonable to be pissed now about whatever decision from the IOC/ISU, but please let's not pretend that it's not the questionable legality and application of the ban what compromised IOC to begin with.

 

[On My Own]

I am remembering why I have you on ignore.

Well thank you for removing me from ignore just to misread what I wrote. It's not like you'll ever learn to read anyway, so not a real loss if you don't usually reply to me.

Feel free to apply this to yourself any time, not that you ever will.

In this case, I said I don't understand why these skaters are getting these levels on such an easy dance and you decided I meant they were making the turns and the judges weren't giving credit when what I was saying was that they are perfectly capable of doing this dance better so why aren't they? Instead of asking me what I meant,

I don't really care what YOU DECIDED I meant. Not you, anyway.

If someone is really so very arrogant as to think that anyone can come up with something as dumb as YOU DECIDED I did, that person's arguments are worth nothing more than a laugh.

 

[On My Own]

No, it's not.

No one argues that Russia started an abhorrent agression, no one argues that Russia is at fault and no one argues that Russia broke the Olympic Charter.

The points are different.
1. The Olympic Charter demands end of hostilities for the period of the Olympic Games, which is not the same as "not starting hostilities". So it's not just Russia that broke the Olympic Charter, but also dozens of other states over the years, yet Russia is the only one that got banned ever.
2. Even if we redefine "end of hostilities" to "not starting hostilities" there are other examples of wars starting during the so-called "Olympic truce" with no reaction from the IOC, so once again, it's a selective punishment of Russia (albeit, mostly vs. the same Russia on other occasions... But not only).
3. Even if we ignore all that, with all the disdain of current Belarussian regime, ban of Belarus can't be legally justified. "Accomplice" is not part of the Olympic Charter whatever the interpretation is.
4. It is absolutely not feasible for IOC to enforce the "Olympic Truce" because that would ban half the world and implode this organization from within.
5. An international non-political organization can't legally apply its charter selectively based on the mood of the public in sertain states without compromising its integrity; and once it compromises its integrity, it might find itself in uneasy position - which is what is happening now.

So it's reasonable to be pissed now about whatever decision from the IOC/ISU, but please let's not pretend that it's not the questionable legality and application of the ban is what compromised IOC to begin with.

Apparently, it's very difficult to understand. Or, you know, it's not. It's just the usual "how dare you not agree with us, you stupid/evil person who is just too stupid/evil/acting in bad faith" as happens here on this topic and several others.

Mind you that the argument I am making here - Western countries are rich and powerful due to history and therefore impose their will onto the others either by hook or by crook, and don't really care about what others think and how they suffer - is the same one leftist Americans make about the right wing. Apparently, it's too much to expect them to agree that it extends to the rest of the world. Because that'd require them to admit they're the beneficiaries.

A very "look in the mirror, dear" topic, this one, if I may.

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

Apparently, it's very difficult to understand. Or, you know, it's not. It's just the usual "how dare you not agree with us, you stupid/evil person who is just too stupid/evil/acting in bad faith" as happens here on this topic and several others.

"You don't agree that IOC decision to ban Russia was legal??? It means you're a puppet of Putin and support the aggression!"

Mind you that the argument I am making here - Western countries are rich and powerful due to history and therefore impose their will onto the others either by hook or by crook, and don't really care about what others think and how they suffer - is the same one leftist Americans make about the right wing. Apparently, it's too much to expect them to agree that it extends to the rest of the world. Because that'd require them to admit they're the beneficiaries.

Ok, in that sense I can see where you're heading with the racial card. The unproportional power of US, UK and EU in all international organization can indeed be seen as the extrapolation of the principles of the internal American racial theory.

That said, I'm consistent on that topic: I think both are nonsense.
But it's OT.

 

[PRlady]

Well thank you for removing me from ignore just to misread what I wrote. It's not like you'll ever learn to read anyway, so not a real loss if you don't usually reply to me.

Feel free to apply this to yourself any time, not that you ever will.



I don't really care what YOU DECIDED what I meant. Not you, anyway.

If someone is really so very arrogant as to think that anyone can come up with something as dumb as YOU DECIDED I did, that person's arguments are worth nothing more than a laugh.

Cut it out. Next step is a warning. The ISU might not have the right to ban on basis of hostility but the admins here do.

 

[On My Own]

That said, I'm consistent on that topic: I think both are nonsense.

And I respect that consistency much more than the other things I'm seeing here (by which I don't just mean this skating forum, but rather this issue), and have been for more than two years.

 

[Coco]

So under no circumstances can Russia send a judge or judges, right?

 

[Sylvia]

So under no circumstances can Russia send a judge or judges, right?

"The new conditions do not apply to Officials, who remain banned from ISU competitions and the designated OQS competitions." (from post #1 )

ETA:

Perhaps a separate thread on the topic of the IOC/ISU's decisions could be started in the Politically Incorrect forum so that this second GSD thread can stay open for skating-related discussion, unlike the last one?

 

[DreamSkates]

Invasions are hostile. I cannot believe you are seriously arguing that invading a country within the period where there are supposed to be no hostilities doesn't count for .... reasons.

Ukraine was a part of the USSR then when the country became Russia and Putin was not the leader, Ukraine was asked if they wanted to be an independent country. First, no. Then they said yes they wanted to be their own country. Russia agreed. Putin came to power and wants to reconstitute the USSR. Invading Ukraine first and Putin won't stop there.
Yes, this has been an incredibly hostile and violent invasion of an independent country.

 

[DreamSkates]

This is what the isu wants discussed in Russia.

Good luck, ISU, on getting an honest answer.

 

[DreamSkates]

"The new conditions do not apply to Officials, who remain banned from ISU competitions and the designated OQS competitions." (from post #1 )

ETA:

Perhaps a separate thread on the topic of the IOC/ISU's decisions could be started in the Politically Incorrect forum so that this second GSD thread can stay open for skating-related discussion, unlike the last one?

Does the ban include coaches associated with proven doping cases and their athletes banned? It should.

 

[Sylvia]

Does the ban include coaches associated with proven doping cases and their athletes banned? It should.

Further details may be found in ISU Communication 2680 [link below]. A Q&A [link] is also available to address specific questions in relation to the topic.

ISU Communication 2680 - On the access to qualification events for Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) in ISU sports for participation at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 (10 pages): https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.az...Communication2680039609800_17346849641740.pdf

4. Eligibility Criteria [...] - from pages 2-3:

g. The results shown by the doping-tests and special screening will be evaluated for each
Nominated Athlete and their Support Personnel by the ISU in accordance with the IOC
recommendations and processes successfully implemented in other sports. The ISU Council
will establish an ISU AIN Review Commission consisting of three members of the ISU Council
and an athlete representative of the Olympic movement for evaluation of the Nominated
Athletes and preparation of a proposal to the Council of their admission as an AIN for OWG
2026, including Qualification Pathways for OWG 2026. The ISU AIN Review Commission can
take advice if need be and it will act in direct cooperation with the IOC. If the ISU AIN Review
Commission determines all eligibility criteria as given have been complied with, it will
recommend to the Council to declare the eligibility of the respective Nominated Athlete(s) and
their Support Personnel for participation at the Figure Skating Qualification Competition and at
the Qualification Competitions according to the Olympic Qualification Documents in Speed
Skating and Short Track Speed Skating, and, if qualified, at the OWG 2026 (each, an “Eligible
Nominated Athlete”). It is the decision of the ISU Council to grant the status of AIN to Eligible
Nominated Athletes and is subject to an appeal to CAS according to article 26 of the ISU
Constitution.

 

[Excidra]

I am not too thrilled about this news. I really enjoyed skating the last few years without the Russians.

 

[caseyedwards]

I am not too thrilled about this news. I really enjoyed skating the last few years without the Russians.

It’s is a fact no Russians will be eligible to qualify under these rules

Based on what do you believe Russians will be competing?

 

[ajingmarg]

Is this a political forum?

If you like to discuss about politics then go to a politicsl forum

Ukraine was a part of the USSR then when the country became Russia and Putin was not the leader, Ukraine was asked if they wanted to be an independent country. First, no. Then they said yes they wanted to be their own country. Russia agreed. Putin came to power and wants to reconstitute the USSR. Invading Ukraine first and Putin won't stop there.
Yes, this has been an incredibly hostile and violent invasion of an independent country.

 

[DreamSkates]

Is this a political forum?

If you like to discuss about politics then go to a politicsl forum

This comment was in reply to others' comments about hostile invasions. You can go back and find those and make the same comment.

 

[PRlady]

I was asked to move this thread or at least the political debate to PI. Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to separate one’s view of Russian participation in the Olympics from views on the war (and doping.). So, judgement call, here it stays, with the caveat that unlike PI, this is moderated for basic civility.

 

[Karen-W]

I was asked to move this thread or at least the political debate to PI. Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to separate one’s view of Russian participation in the Olympics from views on the war (and doping.). So, judgement call, here it stays, with the caveat that unlike PI, this is moderated for basic civility.

I think that it is possible to separate the conversation and take part of it over to PI.

This thread can be a general discussion when there is further news about the AIN process and the leaks we are sure to get from the Russian media about who will be nominated for the AINs, Substitutes and Support Personnel. Any other discussion about whether or not Russia & Belarus should be allowed to participate in the Olympics (whether that be because of the war or doping) can exist in PI.

 

[MacMadame]

Thinking about this... How about closing this thread and letting people open the two different threads @Karen-W suggested if they want to keep debating?

 

[kwanfan1818]

Then after the nominations are made and accepted, where do we discuss whether or not we think the decisions were right or wrong, based on the skaters' political activity and/or proximity to doping athletes?

 

[PRlady]

Then after the nominations are made and accepted, where do we discuss whether or not we think the decisions were right or wrong, based on the skaters' political activity and/or proximity to doping athletes?

That’s the problem. When Russian skater X is nominated and she attended the Z rally or her coach is a doper, where does it go? PI is also not available to everyone. And social media reports vary widely in terms of visibility: we all probably follow Jackie Wong somewhere but not all of us are on every platform and I for one am curious to see what I’ve missed.

 

[Karen-W]

Then after the nominations are made and accepted, where do we discuss whether or not we think the decisions were right or wrong, based on the skaters' political activity and/or proximity to doping athletes?

That’s the problem. When Russian skater X is nominated and she attended the Z rally or her coach is a doper, where does it go? PI is also not available to everyone. And social media reports vary widely in terms of visibility: we all probably follow Jackie Wong somewhere but not all of us are on every platform and I for one am curious to see what I’ve missed.

I was speaking more in the general discussion about whether or not Russia & Belarus should be allowed back in being a conversation that could reside in PI.

Discussions about specific skaters eligibility and what that says about the ISU's decision - being lip service to the IOC where no one actually qualifies as caseyedwards believes will be the case or it's a genuine precursor to the ISU lifting the ban on RUS/BLR competing entirely - would stay here.

But I do also recognize that some people will have difficulty separating the general "should the IOC ban be lifted/relaxed?" and the specifics of how the ISU decision is implemented.

 

[HaNguyen]

I wonder if IOC / ISU will reimpose the ban based on what Russia was doing with the undesea cables. I feel that Russia is ramping up hostile actions against Europe since he now has a friendly US on his side.

 

[DreamSkates]

I am not too thrilled about this news. I really enjoyed skating the last few years without the Russians.

I like the competitiveness they can bring IF done with no doping. Which statement of course, is raising some eyebrows as it is read. I'm thinking back to the Kwan era, it wasn't obvious if anyone used drugs. Or I'd rather keep my head in the sand for those years.

 

[On My Own]

It's honestly funny that they think a comprehensive doping program will somehow prevent what happened last time.

 

[caseyedwards]

Does the ban include coaches associated with proven doping cases and their athletes banned? It should.

As per the isu statement anyone who has ever had any association of any kind with anyone associated with a doping case is banned.

Isu has banned anyone with association of any kind with anyone associated with a doping case and anyone who has ever done anything explicitly or implicitly supportive of the war

 

[caseyedwards]

Is this a political forum?

If you like to discuss about politics then go to a politicsl forum

This is the most political thing isu has ever done. It has instituted an implicit and explicit eligibility test for skaters

 

[Sylvia]

There's now a thread in the Politically Incorrect (PI) subforum - I posted an article in English there the other day that includes quotes from Russian sports minister Mikhail Degtyarev who's also the new Russian Olympic Committee President: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...untries-should-be-banned.112443/#post-6707964
ETA - just posted 2 more Degtyarev articles in that PI thread.

 

[ajingmarg]

Pointless to discuss who is eligible. You arent the one to make the decision anyways

This is the most political thing isu has ever done. It has instituted an implicit and explicit eligibility test for skaters