MIRRA Andreeva and Diana Shnaider became the first Russian athletes to win medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics after taking silver in the women’s doubles tennis event.
Playing as neutrals, meaning not representing their country, the two tennis players lost in three sets in the final to the Italian pair, Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini.
Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from participating in global sporting events including the Olympics after Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
However, the IOC allows them to compete under a neutral flag, provided the athletes meet strict requirements.
In Paris, there are only 15 Russian athletes and 17 Belarusian athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“It doesn’t matter to me,” Andreeva said when asked about competing as a neutral.
Also read: Defeating Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic Wins 2024 Paris Olympics Gold Medal
“I just want to get on the pitch to play and fight. That’s what we’ve been doing together this week,” he added.
Shnaider refused to discuss the ban on the Russian flag and anthem at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I don’t want to answer any questions about politics. I’m here to talk about tennis,” he said at a press conference.
Read also: Despite Injury, Novak Djokovic Advances to the Semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics
International sports federations and the IOC are verifying that Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics do not actively support the war in Ukraine or have any ties to their countries’ militaries.
Andreeva, who is 17, and Shnaider, who is 20, lost 2-6, 6-1, 10-7 to the more experienced Italian women’s doubles in the final on Sunday (4/8) night local time.
Prior to that, they eliminated defending champions and second seeds Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova in the quarter-finals.
Andreeva and Shnaider are both in the top 25 women’s singles tennis players.
At this year’s French Open, Andreeva became the youngest player to reach the semifinals since 1997. (Ant/Z-1)
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