Ukraine’s Figure Skating Team Officially Misses First-Ever Participation at the 2026 Winter Olympics
For the first time in history, Ukraine’s figure skating athletes will not compete at the Winter Olympic Games.
This unprecedented development occurred because Ukrainian competitors failed to secure Olympic licenses in ice dance and pairs figure skating categories for the upcoming 2026 Games.
During the final qualification event in Beijing, Ukrainian pair Mariya Pinchuk and Mykyta Pogorelov finished 12th, thus not earning their spots in the February competitions.
The top four nations claimed the available Olympic berths, leaving Ukraine out of the event.
Similarly, in pairs figure skating, Ukrainian athletes Sofiya Holichenko and Artem Darenksiy showed the fifth result at the qualification tournament, but only the top three teams earned Olympic licenses.
This marks a historic milestone — Ukraine will not be represented in Olympic ice dance competitions for the first time, whereas previously they participated in at least one pair or dance duo at every Olympics since Ukraine gained independence, with two duos appearing before 2010.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from February 6 to 22, 2026, showcasing Italy’s winter sports traditions.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee is making statements about the participation of Russian athletes in the upcoming Games, amidst ongoing discussions after the recent tragic plane crash in the United States claiming the lives of Russian world champions in figure skating, highlighting the unpredictable and tense atmosphere surrounding the event preparations.