Paris Olympics 2024: What is 'AIN' in Paris Games? How will athletes from Russia, Belarus compete

The Paris Olympics 2024 began with a breathtaking opening ceremony along the Seine River, a first in Olympic history. Athletes from around the world paraded on boats, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the host city and setting the stage for an unforgettable event. 

Among the participating athletes were competitors from Russia and Belarus, who faced a unique situation at these Games. Due to ongoing international sanctions and the war in Ukraine, these athletes are competing without the usual symbols of their countries. Instead, they are participating under the designation ‘AIN,’ a term that has raised questions and curiosity among viewers.

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What is 'AIN' in Paris Olympics 2024?

‘AIN’ stands for ‘Athletes Individual Neutrals,’ a designation used in the Paris Olympics 2024 for athletes from Russia and Belarus. This label comes from the French translation of "individual neutral athletes." 

"Qualified athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will be entered as, and compete as, Individual Neutral Athletes," the IOC guidelines said.

The IOC announced that 15 athletes from Russia and 18 from Belarus have qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024, among thousands of participants from across the globe. Out of these, only around 60 athletes from the two countries received invitations, adhering to the new stringent criteria set by the IOC. 

Due to sanctions related to the ongoing war in Ukraine, these athletes cannot compete under their national flags, use their national anthems, or display any national symbols. This measure continues a trend seen in the previous Olympic Games, where Russian athletes competed under the "Russian Olympic Committee" (ROC) banner following a series of doping scandals.

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The decision to use ‘AIN’ in place of national identifiers is part of a broader effort by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to maintain the integrity of the Games while allowing individual athletes, who are not implicated in the sanctions or scandals, to compete. 

For athletes from Belarus, this is the first time they are competing under such a designation, joining their Russian counterparts in a neutral capacity. This approach aims to separate the athletes from political and international disputes, focusing instead on their individual talents and achievements in sport.