Ivan Litvinovich, a Belarusian athlete competing as a neutral at the Paris Olympics, has become the first to win gold in this capacity. However, his victory will not be reflected in the official medals table.
Litvinovich, 23, successfully defended his title in the men’s trampoline final, with China’s Wang Zisai and Yan Langyu claiming silver and bronze respectively. The Belarusian’s triumph marks a significant moment for neutral athletes, who are gradually returning to international competitions under strict conditions.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from world sport. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has since overseen their return under a neutral banner, subject to rigorous screening.
To qualify as “neutral individual athletes,” competitors must demonstrate exceptional results and undergo a double check by international sports federations and the IOC. They must also prove that they do not actively support the war in Ukraine or have any ties to their countries’ armies.
Neutral athletes are prohibited from participating in the opening ceremony or competing under their national flags. Additionally, their achievements on the podium are not recognized in the medals table.
Only 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians accepted the invitation to compete as neutrals at the Paris Games. Instead of hearing the Belarusian national anthem after receiving his medal, Litvinovich listened to a generic tune commissioned by the IOC.
“It’s different,” Litvinovich said. “Our anthem is better, and I hope we’ll be able to participate in competitions listening to it.”
Litvinovich declined to comment on his presence at the Games, particularly in relation to his previous expressions of support for Belarus.
Earlier in the day, Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya from Belarus won the first medal of any kind by a neutral athlete at the Paris Games, taking silver in the women’s trampoline.
