Ukraine calls on IOC and ISU to review decision to admit Russian athletes

The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Skating Federation have appealed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Skating Union (ISU) to review the decision to allow Russian Federation figure skaters Pyotr Gumennik and Adelia Petrosian to compete in international events, including the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.

Source: a letter released by the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine

Details: The letter states that the actions and public activity of these athletes run counter to the neutrality principles set by the IOC for representatives of aggressor states.

Quote: "Despite Russia's ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine, these figure skaters continue to take part in events that openly support the war, display banned symbols and maintain contacts with public personalities who promote Russian propaganda."

More details: Ukraine believes that allowing these athletes to compete in international events undermines the foundations of the Olympic Charter and risks sport being used as a tool of political influence.

Background:

• It has been reported earlier that Ukrainian world silver medallist in diving and two-time Olympian Sofiia Lyskun has taken Russian citizenship.
• In an exclusive interview with Champion, a sports news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company, Ukraine's Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi has explained how Ukraine will respond to this situation, what prompted the change of nationality and whether Russian security services were involved.
• Vadym Huttsait, the president of the National Olympic Committee, has also commented on the case in a statement to Champion.

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