What AIN Means at the Olympics — Who the Athletes Are

Television viewers at the 2026 Winter Olympics may notice some competitors labeled “AIN.” That designation stands for Individual Neutral Athletes, based on the French phrase Athlètes Individuels Neutres. Those athletes come from Russia and Belarus, countries banned from the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games because of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The IOC says Individual Neutral Athletes hold Belarusian or Russian passports and have been confirmed as eligible and invited to compete. In December 2023 the IOC set strict eligibility conditions for AINs for Paris 2024, and those same rules now apply to Milano Cortina 2026.

The committee approved 13 Russian athletes and seven from Belarus to compete under the AIN designation. Approved AINs are prohibited from wearing their national flags, were barred from the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremony, and their national anthems will not be played if they win medals.

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