Belarus Athletes Win Medals as Neutrals at Olympics

Ivan Litvinovich of Belarus won the first gold medal for the neutral athletes at the Paris Olympics, competing as an Authorized Neutral Athlete (AIN) due to restrictions placed on Russian and Belarusian athletes following their countries' invasion of Ukraine. A special, wordless anthem composed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was played during the medal ceremony instead of the Belarusian national anthem. Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya also secured a silver medal in women's trampoline under the same neutral status. These athletes, vetted to ensure they have no ties to the military or state security agencies, compete without national flags, anthems, or team uniforms. Their medals are not counted in the official team standings, highlighting the ongoing isolation of Russia and Belarus in global sports. The IOC's policy aims to avoid a blanket ban while maintaining the integrity and security of the Games.