Are you gearing up for the Olympics in Paris 2024? Well, hold onto your seat because there are some strict eligibility rules in place, especially for Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs). The recent decision by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) paves the way for qualified Individual Neutral Athletes to compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. But that’s just the beginning of the story.

So, who exactly are these Individual Neutral Athletes? They are athletes who hold Russian or Belarusian passports and will be invited by the IOC and their respective International Federations (IFs). However, only a small number of AINs have qualified so far, with just 11 athletes being named as Individual Neutral Athletes.

In contrast, over 60 athletes from Ukraine have qualified, and a similar delegation size is expected compared to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

The eligibility conditions for AINs are quite extensive, including a commitment to respect the Olympic Charter and its peace mission. It’s not just about signing on the dotted line; they also have to meet eligibility conditions to qualify and compete, such as not actively supporting the war or being contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies.

Furthermore, the sanctions against those responsible for the war, the Russian and Belarusian states and governments, are still in place for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

These conditions aim to secure the rights of individual athletes to participate, even if their National Olympic Committee (NOC) is suspended. The suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) did not change the recommendation for AINs and their participation under these strict conditions. This, according to the IOC EB, upholds human rights and has been implemented in the past during Olympic Games for other suspended NOCs.

But fear not, while the strict conditions are in place for AINs, the IOC is unwavering in its commitment to supporting Ukrainian athletes. The IOC has tripled its Solidarity Fund for the NOC of Ukraine to USD 7.5 million to aid Ukrainian athletes in every possible way. Over the past year, at least 3,000 Ukrainian athletes and Olympic community members have benefited from this aid, demonstrating the IOC’s dedication to ensuring that these athletes can continue to train and compete.

So there you have it – the rundown on the eligibility rules for Individual Neutral Athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Isn’t it thrilling? Stay tuned for more updates and keep the Olympic spirit burning bright!