At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider of Russia made history by becoming the first athletes from their country to win a medal, albeit as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The duo claimed silver in women’s doubles, losing to Italy’s Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini in a thrilling match tiebreaker.
Andreeva and Shnaider’s achievement marks a significant moment for Russian athletes, who have been banned from competing as a team at the Paris Games. Despite the political turmoil, the pair remained focused on their tennis, showcasing their exceptional skills and determination.
“I’m not going to answer anything about politics here,” Shnaider stated at the post-match press conference. “I’m here to talk about tennis.”
The AIN athletes are prohibited from displaying any national symbols or flags on their uniforms. Andreeva and Shnaider wore plain white outfits, devoid of any markings related to Russia.
“For me, honestly, it doesn’t matter,” Andreeva said when asked about competing as AINs. “I just go out there, I play, and I fight.”
Prior to Andreeva and Shnaider’s success, Ivan Litvinovich and Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya of Belarus had won the first medals for AIN athletes in trampoline. Litvinovich claimed gold for the men, while Bardzilouskaya secured silver for the women. Yauheni Zalati, also from Belarus, added a silver in rowing.
Andreeva, at 17, became the second-youngest player to win an Olympic tennis medal, following Jennifer Capriati’s gold in 1992. Shnaider, 20, played college tennis at North Carolina State before teaming up with Andreeva for the first time in doubles.
Errani and Paolini’s victory marked Italy’s first tennis gold medal at any Summer Olympics. Lorenzo Musetti had previously won bronze in men’s singles.
Errani, 37, completed a career Golden Slam by adding the Olympic gold to her five Grand Slam doubles titles. Paolini, meanwhile, is enjoying her best season as a professional, having reached the finals in singles at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Spain’s Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo claimed bronze by defeating Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.
