The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games is fast approaching and soon many athletes will fulfil their life-hood dream of representing their country at the biggest event on the sporting calendar and potentially winning a medal for their beloved nations.

However that will not be the case for the Russian and Belarusian athletes who are set to compete at the summer Games in Paris. 

This is because Russia and Belarus athletes will be competing in the French capital as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN),meaning they won't be permitted to don their country's flag or colours or have the national anthem of their nation played out.

Russia and Belarus were banned from sending teams to the Games because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,which has been heavily supported by their neighbouring country Belarus.

Despite no teams being allowed,the Olympic committee has invited the countries to send individual athletes,however they must meet a strict  criteria which has been set out by the organisation which includes whether the specific athlete has was or military links. 

Russia's president Vladimir Putin will not be in attendance at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Will Vladimir Putin be at the Olympics?

Speaking about the upcoming games,the Russian president last year said 'If the IOC's artificial conditions are designed to cut off the best Russian athletes and portray at the Olympics that Russian sport is dying,then you need to decide whether to go there at all.' 

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