Paris Olympics: With 40 Days to Go, Only 1 Russian and 2 Belarusian Gymnasts Becomes Eligible to Compete

The Tokyo Olympics witnessed about 330 athletes representing Russia and 107 athletes representing Belarus. But the initial announcement confirmed that neither nation would have a representative at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, as we are 40 days away from the big games, it has become evident that only 14 Russian and 11 Belarusian athletes, in an initial list shared by the IOC, might get the chance to head to the French capital. 

With such short notice before the trials, many athletes will want to receive their invitations sooner rather than later. However, amidst the several athletes in the statement shared on Olympic.com, 1 Russian and 2 Belarusian gymnasts will be vying for a fair shot at Olympic glory. How does this number fare in comparison to the last games?

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics witnessed Russia win its first gold medal in women’s artistic gymnastics. They clinched the victory with a time of 169.528, with the USA and the UK trailing right behind. Similarly, in the Women’s trampoline, with a time of 54.290, Russia placed #7 on the table. Belarus, on the other hand, racked up a total of 7 medals. Who are the neutral gymnasts from Russia and Belarus for the 2024 Paris Olympics and how will they fare in comparison?

18-year-old Anzhela Bladtceva will be looking to prove that she has what it takes. The Russian trampoline gymnast came into the spotlight in 2017, but this will be the four-time World Age Group champion’s first time at the big games. The defending champion in Belarusian men’s trampoline gymnastics, Ivan Litvinovich, will be making his way to Paris to possibly add another gold to his collection. With a final score of 61.715 in the finals, the 22-year-old clinched the first-ever medal for Belarus at the 2020 Summer Olympics. 

Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya captured everyone’s hearts in 2017. Since then, the 19-year-old has been working on finding her way to the top. As she sets foot in the French capital, it is important to note that this will be the Bardzilouskaya’s first Olympics too, just like Bladtceva. With just 3 neutral athletes set to step on the floor, it will be interesting to see how things pan out. Now let’s know what the selection process looked like.

How did the IOC pick these athletes for the Paris Olympics?

The athletes had to undergo a thorough two-stage vetting process via the International Olympic Committee. But there’s a twist! The athletes will not be representing their country. Instead, they would be competing under the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) quota. The committee’s decision to permit certain athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics is being looked at as a strategic move. What does competing under the neutral banner entail?  

After having passed through the vetting process, the players will be invited to enter the trials, and eventually the big games. However, since they’re a neutral athlete, they would have to refrain from sporting any emblems, anthems, or flags. Their uniforms can’t feature any colors representing their nations. Every athlete will only be allowed to participate in individual sports, they cannot enter a team event.

Any medals they win at the French capital will solely be counted as their victory and will not get tallied as the nation’s win on any table. They have also been barred from participating in the opening ceremony with the rest of the athletes. However, the IOC stated they would possibly have the chance to partake in the closing ceremony. 

The IOC put numerous criteria in place to ensure the integrity of the games stays unaffected. To ensure their participation in the games, the athletes would have to follow them. One of them required their signature for the peace mission of the Olympic Movement. With the AIN quota in place, will the gymnasts find their footing in the French capital? Only time will tell.