Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze’s remarks on social media triggered a flood of comments and reactions, prompting the International Skating Union to withhold awards and update rankings in the absence of Russian competitors.
In Russia, Tutberidze drew support, as expected. Globally, there was sharp criticism, with opponents pointing to a prohibited drug case involving Kamila Valieva as a cautionary example.
ISU officials said that Tutberidze’s words were not viewed as a serious proposal and that such ideas would be impossible to implement in practice.
A few days later, the federation published revised quotas for the upcoming World Cup on its official site.
The update shows that the Russian team, which missed the 2022 World Cup due to the suspension effective at the start of that season, lost its maximum quota because results could not be confirmed, and now it will be possible to enter only one athlete or duo in each program type.
Meanwhile, at the European Championships, the maximum quota of three participants per event was preserved, but this was possible only because Russian athletes had demonstrated their performance in the 2022 European Championships.
If the Russian team remains suspended from international events for the 2023 European Championship, the country could lose all additional quotas at the Euros.
for the sake of safety
Russian athletes currently do not have the right to compete internationally, and there is no clear forecast about future eligibility.
“By a unanimous decision of the ISU Congress, the suspension is permanent. In response to a request from RIA Novosti, the ISU stated that these decisions are not sanctions, disciplinary actions, or non-compliance measures, but are made solely to safeguard participants and the integrity of competitions. The agency noted that the ISU’s world rankings and standings would remain in effect for the 2022/23 season, in line with ISU statutes, general rules, and any special regulations and technical rules.”
logic questioned
After Russia began its military operation in Ukraine in late February, Thomas Bach, head of the International Olympic Committee, urged international federations to bar Russian athletes from top events. Many organizations complied, and the ISU followed, suspending Russia through the end of the previous season, which meant missing the World Championship and losing available quotas under the rules.
Before the 2022/23 season, the suspension was extended indefinitely. Critics argued that the reasons were inconsistent and illogical. ISU officials said Russia’s disqualification was based on security concerns rather than punishment, yet it remained unclear who would protect the athletes involved.
Some observers suggested Russian players might still face hostile environments, paralleling Wimbledon’s rationale for barring Russian and Belarusian players from its flagship tennis tournament.
Across many sports, events have shown that Russian athletes face limited direct threats on the field while competing abroad. Hockey players continue to be welcomed in North America, and Russian players feature in international leagues. Even chess players, like Ian Nepomniachtchi, have performed well in major events held outside Russia.
To some, the claim of protecting competitive integrity rings hollow when the strongest team remains suspended for reasons tied to political action rather than sporting conduct. In Russian figure skating circles, there is concern that such statements undermine trust in the governing body and heighten uncertainty. Critics note the apparent contradictions: the ISU asserts safety and security as the core rationale while withholding a direct, transparent explanation for the ongoing exclusion of Russian skaters from global events.