Фото: t.me/olympicteamby
Belarusian figure skater Viktoriia Safonova has been cleared to participate in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. She will compete as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN), according to the website of the International Olympic Committee.
AIN quotas were determined on the basis of existing qualification events and specific requirements of the international federations.
Safonova became the only representative of Belarus admitted in figure skating: the country received one women’s quota. In addition to her, two Russian skaters — Petr Gumennik and Adeliia Petrosian — received invitations.
The decision on admission was made by the Individual Neutral Athlete Eligibility Review Panel (AINERP).
The IOC emphasized that the list of neutral athletes may be updated as new AINERP decisions are made.
Under IOC conditions, national teams are not allowed to take part in the Olympics; Belarusians and Russians may participate only as individual neutral athletes under a neutral flag, provided they do not express active support for the war and do not have contracts with the armed forces or security services.