Anton Abdurakhmanov, who led the Moscow Figure Skating Federation, has left Russia. The news was reported by the news agency RIA Novosti, which said the departure occurred several months ago and was attributed to legal reasons, though the exact grounds were not disclosed.
At present the federation is in the process of selecting a new president. Regulations set that elections should not take place before May 2025. Officials say the federation is aiming to operate as normally as possible, yet Moskomsport, the Moscow city sports authority, has already been informed that the current leader has left his post. The transition is unfolding amid ongoing work to keep events on schedule, maintain coaching programs, and ensure day‑to‑day functions continue smoothly while leadership duties are reassessed.
Abdurakhmanov took office in 2022, succeeding Irina Raber, who led the federation from 2005 onward. The change in leadership signaled a shift in how the organization approached athlete development, regional collaboration, and international relations with partner federations across Europe and North America, as it navigated a period of change and continuity.
On December 20, the International Skating Union, ISU, announced that athletes from Russia and Belarus may compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics qualifiers under neutral status. The policy covers figure skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. However, participation of Russian figure skaters in many international events remains suspended; the current permission applies only to entry into Olympic qualifying events and not to tournaments governed directly by the ISU. North American observers in Canada and the United States are watching how this affects the competitive landscape and the opportunities for skaters aiming to reach the 2026 Games through the qualifiers.
Earlier a ski coach indicated that Russia would not be allowed to hold neutral status. The remark reflects ongoing skepticism within parts of the skating community about how Moscow will navigate international rules and sanctions. For fans and athletes in North America, the evolving policy environment adds a layer of planning uncertainty, influencing schedules, selections, and preparations as the sport moves toward the next Olympic cycle.
For followers in Canada and the United States, the shifting governance at the Moscow federation and the ISU’s neutral-status decisions matter because they shape which athletes can compete and under what terms. Officials, coaches, and commentators will watch how Moskomsport manages the leadership transition and how the ISU’s rules evolve ahead of the 2026 qualifiers. In the months ahead, governance decisions, eligibility rules, and event calendars will influence team planning, travel, and the rhythm of winter sport coverage across North America.