Explore the latest developments concerning Who are AIN.
Who are AIN athletes at the Winter Olympics and is Russia banned?
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Russia remain banned from competing as a nation but some individual athletes are permitted to participate in the Games under a neutral banner
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
This year’s Winter Olympics, which officially kicked off on 6 February in Milan, features athletes from 92 different countries.
But two will be conspicuous by their absence: Russia and Belarus.
Both countries were suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2023 for violating the Olympic Charter, meaning they cannot compete at the Winter Olympics.
Olympic figure skater Adeliia Petrosian represents 'AIN.' What is AIN?
The women's figure skating short program at 2026 Winter Olympics started today as "Blade Angels" Alyssa Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito aim for gold, but there's much mystery surrounding Olympic skater Adeliia Petrosian's "AIN" Olympic designation.
An "AIN" Olympic athlete refers to a "neutral" Olympian from Russia or Belarus who is not allowed to represent their country because they violated the Olympic truce, according to the International Olympics Committee. Russia and Belarus are banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, brought on by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, there is no "neutral" AIN flag, and no Russian flags, no Russian anthems, and no Russian national colors. This also means no Belarusian flags, no playing of the Belarusian National Anthem, and no Belarus national colors. Here's more to know about AIN.
JHK Desser For Bedroom With 7 Fabric Drawers Organizer Storage Closet Chest Clothes For Living Room Display Cabinet Of Furniture
IOC 'appear ready' to lift Russia Olympic ban with potential return date targeted
A new report has suggested that leaders of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are 'moving closer' to reinstating Russia and Belarus, with a potential return date for athletes being mentioned.
Within weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the IOC and other major governing bodies moved to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition.
The IOC has since allowed athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as individual neutral athletes.
Three years on and the Russian and Belarusian national teams continue to be banned from competing under their national flag, although a number of high-profile figures have urged bodies to make a change.
For more detailed information, explore updates concerning Who are AIN.