DPA
Moscow
Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev is among 15 athletes from Russia set to compete at the upcoming Paris Olympics, which will also feature 16 athletes from Belarus.
The 31 athletes have been named in the official entry lists published by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
All will compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) without any national symbols at the July 26-August 11 Games, after passing a strict vetting process conducted by an IOC commission.
Neither Russia nor Belarus are allowed to compete as a nation in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and eligibility criteria for AIN status included no connection to the Russian military and security forces, and not endorsing the war in Ukraine.
Seven of the 15 Russians are tennis players, led by Medvedev, and including French Open semi-finalist Mirra Andreeva and Bad Homburg Open winner Diana Shnaider.
The other Russians are to compete in cycling, canoeing, swimming and gymnastics.
The Belarusian athletes will be taking part in sports including wrestling, weightlifting and taekwondo. More Russian athletes had originally been approved by the IOC but their respective federations didn’t want them in Paris under the conditions, and because other top athletes were not approved.
