U.S. Dominates Figure Skating World Champ, Eyes Olympic vs. Russians/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. dominated the World Figure Skating Championships, claiming gold in three of four events. But as the 2026 Olympics approach, American skaters may face the return of Russian athletes, who’ve been barred from international competition since 2022.
U.S. Figure Skating Dominates Worlds, Eyes Possible Russian Return – Quick Look
- Historic Wins: Team USA won 3 of 4 golds at 2025 World Championships.
- Olympic Implications: Russians may return under strict “neutral” status at 2026 Olympics.
- Background Checks: Only athletes with no military ties or pro-war stance will qualify.
- Skater Reactions: Most U.S. athletes are unfazed by potential Russian competition.
- Recent Legacy: U.S. champions include Alysa Liu, Ilia Malinin, and Chock & Bates.
U.S. Figure Skaters Celebrate World Domination, Prepare for Olympic Showdown with Returning Russians
BOSTON (AP) — The American figure skating team had a historic showing at the 2025 World Championships, earning gold medals in three of the four disciplines for the first time in U.S. history. As the athletes look ahead to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, one question looms: will Russia return to the international stage?
Russia, a powerhouse in figure skating for decades, has been banned from international competition since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. But a new path, developed by the International Skating Union (ISU) under International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidance, may allow a limited number of Russian athletes to compete in Beijing Olympic qualifiers later this year—as neutrals.
Strict Entry Rules for Russian Athletes
To qualify, Russian skaters must undergo extensive vetting, ensuring no ties to the Russian or Belarusian military and no public support of the Ukraine invasion. The ISU reaffirmed its condemnation of the war, but left room for individuals to be evaluated and approved.
If approved, these athletes would compete under neutral flags, as a few Russian athletes did at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Mixed Reactions from Skaters
U.S. skaters and coaches at Worlds offered a range of reactions—from acceptance to indifference.
“It’s out of our control,” said Evan Bates, who with Madison Chock just captured a third straight world ice dance title. “We’ve competed against Russians before. If they’re there, they’re there.”
Bates and Chock were also part of the U.S. team that won Olympic gold in 2022—after Russian skater Kamila Valieva was disqualified for doping, retroactively giving the U.S. the win.
Gold Rush for Team USA
- Alysa Liu snapped a 19-year drought for American women with a stunning gold in the women’s competition.
- Ilia Malinin dominated the men’s field, securing his second world title by over 30 points, solidifying his status as the Olympic favorite.
- Chock and Bates continued their ice dance dominance, winning a third straight title, the first U.S. team to do so since Belbin & Agosto came close in the early 2000s.
Asked about the return of Russian athletes, Liu simply responded:
“I don’t know. Do you?”
Who Could Return for Russia?
The ISU’s deadline for Russian athlete nominations passed in February, but names have not been made public. If past dominance is any indicator, Russia’s biggest impact would be in:
- Women’s Singles: The last three Olympic gold medalists in this event have been Russian. In Beijing 2022, Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova took gold and silver.
- Pairs Skating: Russia has claimed five of the past eight Olympic golds in this event.
The U.S. hasn’t won pairs gold at the Olympics and last won women’s gold in 2002 with Sarah Hughes.
Russia’s Political Push for Participation
According to Russian news agency TASS, the Kremlin has been pressuring the IOC to allow participation. After Kirsty Coventry’s election as IOC president, Vladimir Putin congratulated her, signaling hopes for improved Russian relations with Olympic leadership.
“We will defend the interests of our athletes and our Olympic team,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Skaters Staying Focused
While political decisions swirl, athletes like Bates and Chock are focusing on what they can control—preparation and performance.
“Should [the Russians] be there, that will make the Olympic Games feel complete,” Bates said. “But our job is to focus on the skating. If we do that, the results will take care of themselves.”
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