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RT  News
RT News
1 week ago

Russian figure skaters win Olympic qualifiers (VIDEOS)

Russian figure skaters win Olympic qualifiers (VIDEOS)

Petr Gumennik and Adeliia Petrosian can compete as neutral athletes under sanctions Moscow denounces as politicized

Russian figure skaters Adeliia Petrosian and Petr Gumennik have won the qualifiers for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games after standout performances in China on Sunday. Both are set to compete as neutral athletes in next year’s Games in Italy due to ongoing Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia.

Gumennik racked up 262.82 points to capture the men’s singles title at the ISU Olympic qualifier in Beijing, cruising to victory by a commanding 34-point margin. He swept both the short program and free skate with a string of clean quadruple jumps and top-level spins and step sequences.

Relive Petr Gumennik's golden performance at the ISU Skate To Milano Figure Skating Qualifier!#MilanoCortina2026 #SkateToMilano #OlympicQualifier #FigureSkating pic.twitter.com/cbFOVW3Fgw

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) September 21, 2025

His win came a day after fellow Russian Adeliia Petrosian, praised for her graceful jumps and expressive style, captured the women’s title with 209.63 points, with a Michael Jackson-themed short program and Argentine tango-style free skate.

Adeliia petrosian you will be top 10 in the olympics. #TRUST pic.twitter.com/W9cMPJGPq1

— m (@m120204) September 20, 2025

The wins do not guarantee Olympic participation, however, as Petrosian and Gumennik are awaiting a decision from a special International Olympic Committee (IOC) commission. In a September 19 press release, the IOC said the body will verify whether the athletes comply with sanctions on Russia, which require them and their staff not to support Russia’s military operation against Ukraine, have no ties to Russian military or security agencies, and meet all anti-doping standards.

Read more IOC bans Russia from 2026 Olympic team competitions

Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from numerous international competitions, including the Olympics, with Western-led organizers citing “solidarity with Ukraine.” While the IOC later allowed some athletes to compete as individuals under neutral flags – including at the 2024 Paris Games – national teams remain barred.

Moscow has condemned the bans, accusing Western nations of pressuring sports federations to exclude Russian athletes for political reasons.

Russian pair skaters and ice dancers have been banned from this year’s Olympic qualifiers. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will run from February 6 to 22.