ISU Lifts Ban on Russian and Belarusian Skaters

Eligible Russian and Belarusian skaters may return in 2026-27 as Individual Neutral Athletes, including Trusova and Valieva in junior competition. Neutral skaters dominated JGP Xi'an, while Valieva's political and state-system ties and continuing federation switches remain contentious; Egor Rukhin's planned move to Bulgaria adds to the athlete-mobility story.