Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Today's Edition

EveryNews

Stories that matter, signal over noise
Politics

Ukraine asks the IOC to ban Russian figure skaters from the 2026 Winter Olympics

The National Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Federation of Skating Sports have appealed to the IOC and the ISU, calling on them to review the eligibility of Petro Humennyk and Adelya Petrosyan for international competitions, including the 2026 Olympics, because of their support for the war.

Oleg Bazylewicz

By Oleg Bazylewicz

December 4, 2025 · 1 min read

Ukraine asks the IOC to ban Russian figure skaters from the 2026 Winter Olympics

The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Skating Federation have officially appealed to the International Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union to review the decision to allow Russian Federation figure skaters Petro Humennyk and Adeli Petrosyan to compete in international events, including the 2026 Olympic Games.

Grounds for the appeal

The letter from the Ukrainian authorities states that the athletes' public activities and actions do not comply with the principles of neutrality that the IOC requires of representatives of aggressor countries. In particular, it cites participation in events openly supporting the war, display of prohibited symbols, and contacts with public figures who spread Russian propaganda.

Arguments and demands

The Ukrainian side believes that admitting the named skaters undermines the provisions of the Olympic Charter and creates a risk of sport being used for political purposes. The appeal calls for a full investigation of the stated facts by the IOC and the ISU.

As long as the war against Ukraine continues, athletes who support aggression by actions or words, or belong to military formations, should not perform on the international stage in any capacity

– NOC of Ukraine

Next steps

The signatories of the appeal are NOC of Ukraine President Vadym Guttsait, Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi, and Skating Federation President Serhii Brodovych. They called for a comprehensive verification of the presented facts and insist on suspending Humennyk and Petrosyan from participation in international competitions, including the Olympic Games, if the violations are confirmed.

Related

Latest

Business

EU Against Google: Why the Latest Fine Could Change More Than Previous Ones

# European Regulators Target Google Again — This Time Over Digital Markets Act Violations. What's Behind the Accusations and Why It Matters Beyond the Corporation European regulators have renewed their scrutiny of Google, this time focusing on alleged violations of the Digital Markets Act. The charges underscore Brussels' increasingly aggressive stance on big tech monopolies and what officials say are anticompetitive practices. The accusations center on how Google leverages its dominance across multiple digital services — from search to advertising to mobile platforms — to disadvantage competitors. Regulators claim the company is using its market power in ways that stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. The case carries significance far beyond Google itself. It signals how the EU is attempting to enforce its landmark Digital Markets Act, legislation designed to curb the gatekeeping power of tech giants. A potential penalty could set precedent for how other large technology companies face similar scrutiny. For consumers and smaller tech firms, the outcome could reshape the digital landscape by creating more room for competition. For Google, fines and operational restrictions could fundamentally alter its business model in Europe, the world's most stringent regulatory market. The case also reflects a broader geopolitical divide, with the EU pursuing a regulatory approach that contrasts sharply with the lighter-touch oversight favored in the United States.

May 26, 2026