Though Russia and Belarus arebannedfrom the 2024 SummerOlympicsand Paralympics in Paris due to Russia ’s state of war in Ukraine , which violates Olympian principle , you ’ll still find a duet dozen Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Games . They ’ll be competing as “ individual neutral athletes ” ( AINs ) .
As of August 1 , 2024 , no AINs havewon medalsat the Paris events . If they do , none of the medals will look toward Russia ’s or Belarus ’s cumulative medal totals from all Olympics and Paralympics . And if they actually get on to the soapbox , the formally country - less athletes will celebrate under neutral symbolism , because Russia and Belarus were banish for dishonor the Olympic Charter and are not permitted to use the Olympian flag or hymn .
The approve neutral flagstone sport a teal background and round allegory in the center with the wordsIndividual Neutral Athlete / Athelète Individuel Neutre . Similarly , the strain that plays is will be an instrumental hymn written for the Games . And while other athletes don athleisure emblazon with the colors and symbols of their land , AINs bust livid clothing without any home insignia .
In past years , Olympic and Paralympic athletes who are ineffectual to represent their country due to international indorsement or political transition have vie as “ self-governing " athletes or under other euphemisms . At the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang , the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo ( which take aim place in 2021 due to the pandemic ) , and the 2022 Summer Games in Beijing , Russian athletes contend as theRussian Olympic Committee(ROC ) squad due to on-going sanctions for the state ’s allege nation - frequent doping program .
However , jock who ca n’t vie for their own country due to political reasons may take part as part of theRefugee Olympic Team . In Paris , the refugee team returns with 36 athletes “ representing the world ’s displaced universe . ” player from Iran , South Sudan , Syria , Ethiopia , Cuba , and more will compete in 12 sports , include canoeing , judo , weightlifting , and swimming . If these jock reach the podium , they will accept their palm under the Olympian flag and Olympic Hymn .
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A version of this story was bring out in 2018 ; it has been updated for 2024 .
