While "AIN" may appear as a country code at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, it doesn't actually represent a nation at all.

The IOC banned Russia from participating because it violated Olympic rules by attempting to include Ukrainian sports organizations as members of the Russian team following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Belarus was banned for supporting Russia's war actions in Ukraine.

Some individual athletes from the banned countries will be permitted to participate in the Milano Cortina Winter Games

At least a dozen athletes will represent AIN at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Here's what it has to do with the ROC, Russia and the country's doping scandal.

While athletes compete under their nation’s respective flags, that won’t be the case for those hailing from Russia.

Russian teams remain banned from Olympic competitions, but individual participation as "neutral" athletes is allowed under strict rules.

Nikita Filippov of Russia won the first medal for Individual And Neutral athletes ("AIN") on Feb. 29, at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Anastasia Kucherova, a Russian living in Milan, voiced her opposition to Russia’s war against Ukraine with a highly symbolic, if anonymous, act: Carrying the Ukraine team placard during the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Games.

Six Russians and four Belarusians will be allowed to compete at the upcoming Games in Milan. It will be the first time the Russian flag has flown at the Paralympics since 2014.