Authorised Neutral Athletes

{{Short description|International designation for Neutral Athletes}}

'''Authorised Neutral Athlete''' ('''ANA''') and '''Individual Neutral Athlete''' ('''AIN''') are a capacity under which athletes can compete at international sporting competitions without representing their nations, as is standard convention under the [[Olympic Charter]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Background Information to the decision of the IOC Executive Board concerning the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympic Games Rio 2016 |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/background-information-to-the-decision-of-the-ioc-executive-board-concerning-the-participation-of-russian-athletes-in-the-olympic-games-rio-2016/}}</ref> As of August 2022, only [[Russians|Russian]] and [[Belarusians|Belarusian]] athletes of some sports have competed or are competing within the ANA capacity.

Originally introduced in athletics in 2017 following the [[doping in Russia#2017|Russian doping scandal]] which first came to light in December 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |title=IAAF World Championships London 2017 {{!}} WCH 17 {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-championships/iaaf-world-championships-london-2017-7093740/country/authorised-neutral-athlete |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=www.worldathletics.org}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://piemonte.fidal.it/content/A-Londra-c-è-un-mondo-di-atletica!/109112|title=A Londra c'è un mondo di atletica!|publisher=fidal.it|quote=...e l’ANA (Authorised Neutral Athlete) di Mariya Kuchina maritata Lasitskene e di [[Sergey Shubenkov]], la caucasica e il siberiano che, senza bandiera, riportano in scena una [[Russia]] ancora in via di espiazione.|language=it|access-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> the term was introduced to other sports following the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in February 2022. Quoting a breach of the [[Olympic Truce]] by the Russian government in which Belarus was complicit, the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) recommended suspending all teams, officials and competitors from [[Russia]] and [[Belarus]] from being involved in sport due to security concerns, while allowing individuals to compete in a neutral capacity.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=IOC EB recommends no participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-eb-recommends-no-participation-of-russian-and-belarusian-athletes-and-officials}}</ref>

The ANA designation uses a plain white flag with the block capital letters "ANA".

== Russian doping scandal and athletics == {{Main|Doping in Russia}} [[File:Saut en hauteur, présentation finale (36577997135).png|thumb|300px|right|While all other athletes wear clothing bearing a [[national flag]], Authorised Neutral Athlete [[Mariya Lasitskene]] from Russia (left of center, turquoise) is the only athlete to wear generic [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] clothing]] [[File:ANA flag (2017).svg|thumb|200px|right|The previous version of the flag/[[logo]] of ''ANA'' for [[World Athletics|IAAF]] events (2017–2020)]] The idea of competing as "neutral athletes" was first proposed in 2016 by the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] and the governing body of athletics, [[World Athletics|International Association of Athletics Federation]] (IAAF) at the conclusion of an investigation into Russian state manipulation of doping controls.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WADA Statement: Independent Investigation confirms Russian State manipulation of the doping control process |url=https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-statement-independent-investigation-confirms-russian-state-manipulation-doping-control |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=World Anti-Doping Agency |date=18 July 2016 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IAAF insists on 'neutral' status for Russian athletes in Rio Olympics |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/news/clean-russian-athletes-compete-rio-olympics-neutrals-iaaf-163133051--oly.html |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=sports.yahoo.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Around the same time, Russian track and field athlete [[Yuliya Stepanova]] requested to compete as a neutral instead of representing her country at the [[2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games]]. The IOC ruled against the proposal stating that it ran contrary to the Olympic Charter, also announcing they would continue to permit Russian competitors at the games subject to approval by the international federation concerned of the sports composing the games, and doping clearance approved outside of Russia.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Decision of the IOC Executive Board concerning the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympic Games Rio 2016 |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/decision-of-the-ioc-executive-board-concerning-the-participation-of-russian-athletes-in-the-olympic-games-rio-2016}}</ref>

The IAAF had already imposed an outright ban on track and field athletes competing but following an appeal at the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] by [[Darya Klishina]], a Russian Long Jumper based in the [[United States]], the IAAF was forced to allow athletes who passed anti-doping test outside of Russia. Klishina was the only track and field athlete to represent Russia at the 2016 Olympic Games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gleeson |first=Michael |date=2016-07-31 |title=Rio Olympics 2016: Exempt Russian Darya Klishina training at Australian base |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/russian-darya-klishina-training-where-australians-train-ahead-of-2016-rio-olympics-20160801-gqhx0g.html |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-08-15 |title=Exclusive: Russia's Klishina to compete after appeal upheld |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-rio-russia-klishina-exclusiv-idUSKCN10Q0BK |access-date=2022-08-07}}</ref>

In April 2017 at [[World Athletics Championships|IAAF World Championships in Athletics]] of [[2017 World Championships in Athletics|London 2017]], with the IAAF free to apply their own rules, approved the participation of a [[Authorised Neutral Athletes at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics|group of 19 Russians competing as neutral athletes]], the first time the Authorised Neutral Athlete term was used.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/press-release/russians-neutral-athletes-2017|title=IAAF approves the application of seven Russians to compete internationally as neutral athletes |publisher=iaaf.org|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> A total of eight athletes competed as neutrals at the [[2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Birmingham IAAF World Indoor Championships {{!}} WIC 18 {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-indoor-championships/iaaf-world-indoor-championships-7093742/athletes?country=ANA&competitionGroup=world-athletics-indoor-championships&urlSlug=iaaf-world-indoor-championships-7093742&countryCode=ANA |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=www.worldathletics.org}}</ref> A total of nine athletes competed as neutrals at the [[2018 IAAF World U20 Championships]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=IAAF World U20 Championships Tampere 2018 {{!}} WJC 18 {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-u20-championships/iaaf-world-u20-championships-tampere-2018-7105080/athletes?country=ANA&competitionGroup=world-athletics-u20-championships&urlSlug=iaaf-world-u20-championships-tampere-2018-7105080&countryCode=ANA |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=www.worldathletics.org}}</ref> A total of 30 athletes competed as [[Authorised Neutral Athletes at the 2018 European Athletics Championships|neutrals at the 2018 European Athletics Championships]]. A total of 29 athletes competed as [[Authorised Neutral Athletes at the 2019 World Athletics Championships|neutrals at the 2019 World Championships]] in Doha.

== Russian invasion of Ukraine == {{Main|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

In response to the invasion, many sports' governing bodies immediately banned Russians and Belarusians from competing altogether, including in athletics whose Russians were already competing as authorised neutrals.

In tennis, the [[International Tennis Federation]] allowed Russians and Belarusians to continue playing as individuals without any national representation, but did not implement any designated group or category name.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ITF Statement: ITF suspends Russia and Belarus from ITF membership and international team competition {{!}} ITF |url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/news-and-media/articles/itf-statement-itf-suspends-russia-and-belarus-from-itf-membership-and-international-team-competition/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=www.itftennis.com |language=en}}</ref>

In motorsport, the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]], a recognised International Sports Federation by the IOC,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports governed by International Federations recognised by the International Olympic Committee |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/recognised-international-federations/}}</ref> followed the recommendation to allow drivers, competitors and officials to continue competing in a neutral capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-01 |title=FIA announces World Motor Sport Council decisions in relation to the situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.fia.com/news/fia-announces-world-motor-sport-council-decisions-relation-situation-ukraine |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=Federation Internationale de l'Automobile |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FIA CIRCULAR EMERGENCY MEASURES DUE TO RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE |url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/fia_circular-emergency_measures_due_to_russian_invasion_of_ukraine_0.pdf}}</ref> Although the FIA press release used the terms Authorised Neutral Competitor (ANC), Authorised Neutral Driver (AND) and Authorised Neutral Official (ANO), it was widely accepted that the term Authorised Neutral Athlete could also be used.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Rally Estonia backs government's Gryazin entry ban |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/rally-estonia-backs-governments-gryazin-entry-ban/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=DirtFish |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2022 |title=GRYAZIN’S MUTED WRC2 CELEBRATIONS |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/motorsport-news/20220609/281861532151657 |access-date=2022-08-06 |via=PressReader}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stampa |first=Comunicati |date=2022-07-09 |title=Gryazin e Lucky vincitori a S.Marino |url=https://www.rally.it/2022/07/gryazin-e-lucky-vincitori-a-s-marino |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=Rally.it |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Smolyar 'trying to focus on job' amid confusion over his F3 return |url=https://www.autosport.com/fia-f3/news/smolyar-trying-to-focus-on-job-amid-confusion-over-his-f3-return/9132904/ |access-date=2022-08-06 |website=www.autosport.com |date=19 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Indeed, in the [[2022 WRC2 Championship|FIA World Rally Championship]], Russians including [[Nikolay Gryazin]] and Konstantin Aleksandrov began competing under the Authorised Neutral Athlete flag immediately following the ruling.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-03 |title=Classifications |url=https://www.fia.com/events/world-rally-championship/season-2022/rally-italia-sardegna/classifications |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=Federation Internationale de l'Automobile |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nikolay Gryazin Konstantin Aleksandrov Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2022 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/700100/?entry=3344737}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nikolay Gryazin Konstantin Aleksandrov Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo Croatia Rally 2022 |url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/692000/?entry=3325220}}</ref> Whilst it is not confirmed as the intended reason, this helps to avoid confusion with the [[List of IOC country codes|country code]] AND for [[Andorra]]. In [[2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship|FIA Formula Three]] circuit racing, Russian driver [[Alexander Smolyar]] is included on entry lists as having an 'AND' license, meanwhile in the [[GT World Challenge Europe]], Russian drivers appear on entry lists as having ND license and nationality on profiles and no flag is ever presented in either championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spielberg Entry List |url=https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2022%20Spielberg%20Event%20-%20Spielberg%20Entry%20List.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-23 |title=2022 Standings |url=https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-3-championship/season-2022/2022-standings |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=Federation Internationale de l'Automobile |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Entry list SPA |url=https://www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com/images/FGTWC%20-%20Provisional%20Entry%20List%20TotalEnergies%2024h%20of%20Spa%2021-06-2022%20V2.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Konstantin Tereschenko, 2022 |url=https://www.gt-world-challenge-europe.com/driver/2933/konstantin-tereschenko |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In cycling, the [[Union Cycliste Internationale]] (UCI) also permitted athletes to continue competing in a neutral capacity whilst banning all Russian and Belarusian teams, officials and events. The UCI requested event organisers to replace the names, emblems and colours of the two countries with a ''"neutral reference or denomination"''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The UCI takes strong measures in the face of the situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.uci.org/pressrelease/the-uci-takes-strong-measures-in-the-face-of-the-situation-in-ukraine/6V8FrkqsPbhbeMIc8rgb3t |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=www.uci.org |language=en-gb}}</ref> So far, affected cyclists have not raced under any form of neutral name in events such as the [[2022 Tour de France|Tour de France]].

In the [[Olga Kharlan#2023–present; World Championships|Olga Kharlan handshaking incident]] at the [[2023 World Fencing Championships]], Russian sabre fencer {{ill|Anna Smiirnova (fencer)|ru|Смирнова, Анна Сергеевна|lt=Anna Smirnova}} competed as an Authorised Neutral Athlete against Ukrainian [[Olga Kharlan]].<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-sports/ap-ukraine-eases-its-sports-boycott-policy-to-compete-against-some-russians-ahead-of-olympics/|title=Ukraine eases its sports boycott policy to compete against some Russians ahead of Olympics|work=The Hill|date=27 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/27/world/europe/ukraine-fencer-olga-kharlan-russia.html?unlocked_article_code=qj7M-jMm2Ydcpr9IFoJkVHqaBhbCwhC6-abOrP_oRgiWgYTm4JBUKyQxFrxDC5nKIxFBO-LUGvqJ1IzfpU3zodqkFwwc50QWIDyLpoAnZEfd4Y65L2-aK2La-9Ut0kMwXyPViw7CFW23P8MarPlgk1mLlLpao_xJ7imdLkgXve47hWjuTBuGBVyKFglGlnB861fTQalp9ZwKuEXc0vYkgnZIzutBLakbgrCz9pvI1nI8qMhrpkpmaovxUyPFFXmBJjokkfp14TY1Bv5ziZ92P1b7YUldWcTKO0jDPd6he_T42K7IV1rBwMs63h0KXK59jLT7zjJ9rd3uE8TvTxWAw8snQ_w6k4dvWJj4Zv1ZSxk3cQ&smid=url-share|title=A Ukrainian fencer is disqualified after refusing to shake hands with a Russian opponent.|date=27 July 2023|author=Jere Longman|work=The New York Times}}</ref> In the bout, Kharlan defeated Smirnova 15–7. At the time, and since July 1, 2020 (and reconfirmed by [[International Fencing Federation|FIE]] public notice in September 2020 and in January 2021), by public written notice the FIE had replaced its previous handshake requirement with a "salute" by the opposing fencers, and written in its public notice that handshakes were "suspended until further notice."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usafencing.org/news_article/show/1093278-handshaking-rule-suspended-at-usa-fencing-events|title=Handshaking Rule Suspended at USA Fencing Events|first=Nicole|last=Jomantas|date=6 March 2020|website=USA Fencing}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fencing.org.nz/news/162-covid-19-update-oceania-u20s-and-handshaking-rule|title= Oceania U20s and Handshaking Rule |publisher=Fencing New Zealand|first=Amanda|last=Hopkins|date=12 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishfencing.com/handshaking-rule-temporarily-suspended/|title=Handshaking Rule Temporarily Suspended|date=5 March 2020|website=British Fencing}}</ref><ref>[https://static.fie.org/uploads/24/124713-FIE_outline_risk-mitig_Covid-19%20ang.pdf "FIE OUTLINE of RISK-MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS for NATIONAL FENCING FEDERATIONS and COMPETITION ORGANIZERS in the CONTEXT of COVID-19; PREPARED by FIE TASK FORCE and REVIEWED by FIE MEDICAL COMMISSION and FIE LEGAL COMMISSION,"] FIE, 1 July 2020 and September 2020.</ref><ref>[https://static.fie.org/uploads/24/124248-1.c%20upd%20FIE%20outline%20risk-mitig%20Covid-19%20ang.pdf "FIE OUTLINE of RISK-MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS for NATIONAL FENCING FEDERATIONS and COMPETITION ORGANISERS in the CONTEXT of COVID-19 (FORMIR – COVID-19) PREPARED by FIE TASK FORCE and REVIEWED by FIE MEDICAL COMMISSION and FIE LEGAL COMMISSION,"] FIE, January 2021.]</ref> At the end of the bout the fencers came to the center of the strip and Smirnova extended her hand to Kharlan, who in turn extended her saber in an offer to the Russian to tap blades.<ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/fencing/66322668|title=World Fencing Championships: Ukraine's Olga Kharlan disqualified for refusing Russian Anna Smirnov's handshake|work=BBC|date=27 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fencing-ukraine-russia-handshake-world-championship-b2383066.html|title=Ukrainian fencer disqualified from world championships for refusing handshake with Russian opponent; Olga Kharlan offered to touch blades after beating Anna Smirnova, who then staged a sit-down protest at the handshake refusal |date=27 July 2023|website=The Independent|author=Aadi Nair}}</ref> Kharlan said her choice of salute was meant as a sign of respect for her Russian opponent, while still acknowledging the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dedaj |first=Paulina |date=27 July 2023 |title=Olympic gold medalist disqualified from World Championships after refusing handshake with Russian opponent; Olga Kharlan is a four-time individual world champion |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/olympic-gold-medalist-disqualified-world-championships-refusing-handshake-russian-opponent |website=Fox News}}</ref> She said: <blockquote>I proposed the salute with the blade, she didn’t want to do it and the referee told me I could leave, and after that I warmed up for the next bout, then ... they said they wanted to talk to me. I was informed that I had received the black card, but I don’t think it was the referee. The referee’s decision – he continued – was not to give the black card. It is very cruel even towards him, it is very cruel for everyone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.italy24.press/news/724922.html|title=The Ukrainian Kharlan beats the Russian Smirnova at the fencing World Championships but does not shake her hand: disqualified after the rival's protest|work=Italy24|date=27 July 2023}}</ref></blockquote> Kharlan said that FIE interim president Emmanuel Katsiadakis, who had succeeded Russian oligarch [[Alisher Usmanov]] as head of the FIE in 2022, had assured her the day prior that it was "possible" not to shake hands, and to instead offer a touch of her blade.<ref name="auto1" /><ref name="first">{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230727-kharlan-lands-first-blow-for-ukrainian-athletes-after-change-of-policy|title='Shameful' as Ukrainian fencer disqualified for refusing to shake hands with Russian|date=27 July 2023|website=France 24}}</ref> She said: "I thought I had his word, to be safe, but apparently, no."<ref name="auto1" /> Kharlan then walked away, while Smirnova refused to leave the [[Piste (fencing)|piste]] and made a 45-minute long sit-down protest.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |date=2023-07-27 |title=Ukraine calls for disqualified fencer to be reinstated after anti-Russia protest |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/27/ukraine-calls-for-disqualified-fencer-to-be-reinstated-after-anti-russia-protest |access-date=2023-07-28 |issn=0261-3077 |quote=Smirnova approached the Ukrainian to shake hands, but Kharlan, an Olympic champion, held up her sabre instead and walked away.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/27/sport/ukraine-fencer-disqualified-refused-handshake-russian-intl-spt/index.html|title=Ukraine's top fencer disqualified from world championship after refused handshake with Russian|date=27 July 2023|website=CNN|author=Svitlana Vlasova and Tim Lister}}</ref><ref name="auto1" /> This was followed by Kharlan being disqualified by FIE officials.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/world-fencing-championships-ukraines-olga-140520984.html|title=World Fencing Championships: Ukraine's Olga Kharlan disqualified for refusing Russian Anna Smirnov's handshake|date=27 July 2023|website=Yahoo Sports}}</ref> The decision was reversed the following day.<ref name="7413289Kharlan">{{cite web |title=Ukrainian fencer gets automatically qualified for Olympics|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/28/7413289/|date=28 July 2023|access-date=28 July 2023|lang=English|author=Yevhen Kizilov |website=[[Ukrainska Pravda]]}}<br />{{cite web |title=Russia-Ukraine conflict: Fencer Olga Kharlan ban lifted as she is handed Olympic spot|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/fencing/66339461|date=28 July 2023|access-date=28 July 2023|lang=English|website=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref>

==See also== * [[Authorised Neutral Athletes at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics]] * [[Authorised Neutral Athletes at the 2018 European Athletics Championships]] * [[Authorised Neutral Athletes at the 2019 World Athletics Championships]] * [[Athlete Refugee Team]] * [[Independent Olympians at the Olympic Games|Independent Olympic Athletes]] * [[Unified Team (disambiguation)|Unified Team]], designation of post-Soviet state athletes for 1992 events * [[Olympic Athletes from Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics|Olympic Athletes from Russia]], designation for cleared athletes at the 2018 Winter Olympics * [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] ([[CIS national football team]] competed at the [[UEFA Euro 1992]]) * [[Russian Olympic Committee]] ** [[Russian Olympic Committee athletes at the 2020 Summer Olympics]] ** [[Russian Olympic Committee athletes at the 2022 Winter Olympics]] * [[Individual Neutral Athletes at the 2024 Summer Olympics]] * [[Individual Neutral Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics]]

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == *[https://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-championships/iaaf-world-championships-london-2017-5151/country/authorised-neutral-athlete Authorised Neutral Athlete – Countries – IAAF World Championships London 2017]

[[Category:Authorised Neutral Athletes| ]] [[Category:Independent athletes]] [[Category:Athletics in Russia]] [[Category:2017 World Championships in Athletics]] [[Category:2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships]]