As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics reach their midpoint this February, many viewers have noticed the acronym AIN appearing on medal tables and athlete jerseys. While “Ain” is a geographic department in Eastern France, in the context of the Olympic Games, it does not represent a sovereign nation.
AIN stands for Athlètes Individuels Neutres (Individual Neutral Athletes). This designation is used for select competitors holding Russian or Belarusian passports who have been permitted to compete despite the ongoing suspension of their national Olympic committees.
| Category | Details for Milano Cortina 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) |
| Total Athletes | 20 (13 Russian, 7 Belarusian) |
| Flag & Anthem | Circular teal flag; custom instrumental anthem (no lyrics) |
| Medal Status | Medals won are not credited to Russia or Belarus in the official table |
Why is Russia Banned?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) maintained the ban on Russia and Belarus for the 2026 Winter Games due to the continued violation of the Olympic Charter following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This follows a decade of previous restrictions related to state-sponsored doping scandals, where Russian athletes previously competed under the “OAR” (2018) and “ROC” (2020/2022) designations.
Strict Eligibility Requirements
Not all athletes from these regions were eligible for AIN status. To compete in Italy this month, athletes had to pass a vetting process by a special review panel to ensure:
- They have not publicly supported the war in Ukraine.
- They are not contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military or national security agencies.
- They meet all international anti-doping requirements.
The AIN Experience in Italy
Under the current regulations, AIN competitors are prohibited from wearing national colours (white, blue, and red). Instead, they wear neutral uniforms approved by the IOC. Furthermore, they were barred from participating in the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremony on 06 February 2026. While advocacy groups like Global Athlete have criticized the IOC for “kowtowing” by allowing any participation, the IOC maintains that individual athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments.
Last Updated: 12 February 2026. All figures reflect current IOC participation data for the Milano Cortina Winter Games.