Valieva’s Status Revoked as Trusova Returns

Kamila Valieva’s planned return to international figure skating has been stopped before she could make her comeback. The International Skating Union (ISU) has revoked the Russian skater’s Individual Neutral Athlete status, according to sources cited by Reuters and the Associated Press.

The decision comes only weeks after the ISU had approved Valieva to compete internationally for the 2026/27 season.

Why Was Valieva’s Status Withdrawn?

Russian and Belarusian skaters can now compete in ISU events only as neutral athletes and must satisfy specific eligibility requirements. They cannot compete under their national flag, use national symbols or represent their country officially.

The neutrality rules also require athletes not to have ties to military or security services and not to have actively and publicly supported Russia’s war in Ukraine since February 2022.

According to the sources, Valieva’s status was withdrawn because of a potential breach of the neutrality criteria. The ISU has not publicly explained the specific circumstances and declined to comment to Reuters.

Without neutral status, Valieva cannot enter ISU international competitions, collect world-ranking points or compete for international titles.

From Olympic Sensation to Suspension

Valieva became one of the biggest stories of the 2022 Beijing Olympics when, at just 15, she landed multiple quadruple jumps in the team event.

Her positive test for trimetazidine, based on a sample collected at the Russian Championships in December 2021, was revealed during the Games. She was later given a four-year ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2024, backdated to the date of the failed test.

Russia’s Olympic team gold from Beijing was subsequently annulled, with the United States elevated to first place.

Valieva’s suspension ended in December 2025, and she returned to domestic competition in February 2026. However, she was not eligible for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.

Trusova Is Back On The International Ice

The situation is different for Alexandra Trusova, now competing as Alexandra Ignatova.

The Olympic silver medalist was among the Russian skaters granted neutral status by the ISU in August.

She has already made her long-awaited international comeback at the Kinoshita Group Cup in Tokyo, held from 4–6 September 2026.

Trusova, 22, returned to international competition after a four-year absence and after taking time away from competitive skating following the birth of her son. Her first ISU international start since the 2022 Beijing Olympics began with a 74.92-point short program, placing her fourth after the opening segment.

Her free skate is scheduled for 6 September, with a quadruple Lutz listed in her planned program. During practice, she successfully landed the quad Lutz, underlining why the jump remains such a defining part of her skating identity.

Source: article on themoscowtimes.com, published September 5, 2026.

Achieve More With VSA: Boost your skills with world-class coaches for just $29/hour. Personalized programs 24/7, 365 days a year, anywhere in the world.

By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer