The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a major step toward the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by permitting Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) who have met the qualifying barometers and requirements. Athletes with passports from Belarus or Russia are aided by the decision, since they can now compete as individuals with inalienable birthrights.

The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) also released its new roster in conformity with these changed standards. This move is a result of the altered Conditions of Participation negotiated by the athletes and the IOC.

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In their latest Instagram story, @gymnastics_ announced an exciting development with details of 30 individuals headed to Paris Olympics. It’s caption explaied: “The FIG’s Authorized Neutral Athletes (AIN) page has been updated and now includes 30 individuals, all from Belarus, highlighted by the reigning Olympic champion in men’s trampoline, Ivan Litvinovich.”

This was announced days after IOC’s decision to provide Individual Neutral Athletes status to athletes holding Russian or Belarusian passports, increasing the number of competitors and guaranteeing a more diverse presence at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. During Russia and Ukraine’s tension with Belarus in the middle, Russians and Belarusians became subject to international restrictions. However, the IOC progressively permitted the return of their athletes, with moratoriums such as this.

“Among the 4,600 athletes from around the world who have qualified for Paris 2024 so far, there are only 11 Individual Neutral Athletes,” Olympics.com published on 8th December. Keeping up with the new regulations which are favoring skilled athletes, this was the first time it’s happening for this country.

Special status entry is not uncommon in Olympics

Since the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, which were clouded by doping scandals, proposals for limitations have been made against Russian participants for five successive Olympic years. Russian athletes, therefore, compete in Paris with AIN status, and keep with the IOC’s policy of not using the team name “Russia” during the Olympics. Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) also faced penalties from the IOC last year. It was a result of their adoption of regional sports councils from the occupied east of Ukraine.

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In addition, the IOC committed to helping Ukrainian athletes in any manner possible by allocating $7.5 million. This was to support sports programs in the country after a new Olympic truce was agreed at the UN in New York.

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