Russian women's tennis players Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Russian athletes to secure medals on Friday. However, they are not representing their home country but are competing as Individual Neutral Athletes.
Andreeva and Shnaider guaranteed themselves at least silver medals by defeating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo with a score of 6-1, 6-2 in the women's doubles semi-final. They are set to compete in the final match on Sunday.
These two athletes are part of a group of 15 individuals with Russian citizenship who are participating in the Paris Olympics as neutrals, having been extended invitations by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Due to Russia's violation of the Olympic Truce, they are not allowed to display their country's flag.
The IOC took action against Russia after the country invaded Ukraine just four days following the conclusion of the 2022 Winter Olympics. This invasion was deemed a breach of the Olympic truce, a resolution that calls for all nations to cease hostilities and refrain from engaging in conflicts starting one week before the Olympics and ending one week after the Games.
Since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the conflict has persisted for two years, five months, and one week.
