Russian and Belarusian tennis players to compete at 2024 Olympics as Neutral Athletes

The 2024 Olympic Games will feature competitors from Russia and Belarus, as these athletes will be known by a different name during the event in Paris.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended in 2022 that Russia, which is supported by Ukraine in the war against Ukraine, should be banned from competing in international sporting events. However in 2023, the IOC allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutrals, without any reference to their nationality.

The IOC Executive Board ruled that it would be unfair to punish athletes based on their nationality. Therefore they are allowed to compete in Paris, albeit under very strict conditions as Neutral Athletes.

An Individual Neutral Athlete is the name used to refer to athletes with either a Russian or Belarusian passport who will be competing at this year’s Games in July and August. These athletes are referred to by the abbreviation AIN, which comes from the French translation Athlètes Individuels Neutres. These athletes will be permitted to compete if they meet eligibility requirements. Furthermore, no reference to either country will be made at the Games through the athletes’ participation.

As a result, Russians Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and others will be able to compete at the event. Additionally, Belarusians Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka will still be able to compete for Olympic glory, much to the delight of their fans.