Ahead of the Paris Olympics, there’s been quite a stir about athletes participating from Russia and Belarus. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the IOC initially recommended banning athletes from these countries from international competitions. However, they’ve now allowed them to qualify for the Paris Olympics as neutrals.

In the latest twist, with just 41 days left until the Paris Olympics, the IOC has approved many athletes to compete under this neutral status. But despite this golden opportunity, a four-time Olympic medalist swimming star has shared a heartbreaking update that jeopardizes her Olympic dream.

Russian swimming star shares heartbreaking upset ahead of the Paris Olympics

According to a post on X by Noel Francis, Russian swimmer Yuliya Yefimova has been given the green light to compete in the Paris Olympics as the first Russian swimmer. Still, she won’t represent Russia—she’ll compete under a “neutral status.” Yefimova has quite the Olympic pedigree, having snagged silver medals in the 100m and 200m breaststroke at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and a bronze in the 200m breaststroke at the London Olympics in 2012. Despite this golden chance, Yefimova is now in a race against the clock. She told Russia’s Match TV. Ru that she might not make the qualifying deadline for the Olympics on June 23.

There are several ways for swimmers to qualify for the Olympics: Olympic Qualification Time (OQT), Olympic Consideration Time (OCT), Relay Qualification, and Universality Places. The qualification period for individual events runs from March 1, 2023, to June 23, 2024. Yefimova mentioned difficulties obtaining a European visa, which hinders her ability to attend qualifying events necessary to achieve her OQT or OCT.

Yuliya Yefimova shared, “The most important thing is, World Aquatics quickly looked at my application and they support me, for me to perform at the Olympics. But I don’t have a visa for Europe and I don’t have access to the international qualifying start and they are all finishing.” Getting a Schengen visa for a Russian citizen can take at least 15 days, sometimes even longer. With just over a week left before the qualification deadline, Yefimova’s biggest hurdle seems to be time itself.

As she put it, “Theoretically, I could achieve a decent time in Paris. But it looks like we won’t find out about that.” Reflecting on this tough situation for the 32-year-old, let’s also look at how many other athletes from Russia and Belarus have secured neutral status for the Paris Olympics in the first round of IOC decisions.

The first list of “nuetral athletes” released by the IOC

On June 15, 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to allow 14 athletes from Russia and 11 from Belarus to compete in the Paris Olympics under a neutral status. This means they can participate independently, without officially representing their countries. Initially, athletes from cycling, gymnastics, taekwondo, weightlifting, and wrestling were considered for this neutral status. A total of 25 athletes from Russia and Belarus were cleared for 41 quota spots, and the remaining spots will be given to athletes from other countries.

From Russia, 14 athletes were approved for 24 spots, while 11 Belarusian athletes passed the process for 17 spots. It’s expected that more athletes from other sports will be reviewed soon. Notable names include Ivan Litvinovich from Belarus, a defending Olympic champion in men’s trampoline, and Aleksandr Vlasov from Russia, a successful cyclist. To compete as “neutral athletes,” Russian and Belarusian participants have to follow stringent protocols.

They can’t display their national flags or anthems. Their uniforms must avoid their country’s colors, and they’ll compete under the French acronym AIN, meaning Individual Neutral Athletes. These athletes also must not have supported the war in Ukraine or been part of any military or security agency. A three-member IOC panel will vet each athlete to ensure they meet these criteria. Additionally, they won’t join the traditional parade at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

On July 26, instead of the usual stadium parade, the opening ceremony will feature athletes traveling on boats down the River Seine toward the Eiffel Tower. The IOC mentioned that Russian and Belarusian athletes approved to compete as neutrals will only get to “experience the event,” likely watching from near the river. What do you think about this update and Yuliya Yefimova’s slim chances to qualify for the Paris Olympics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!