Currently, the status is used for sportspersons from Russia and Belarus as their national Olympic bodies are serving a suspension by the IOC since before the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games because of the war with Ukraine.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But now the chief of a global sports body has called for the IOC to end this practice of having \"Individual Neutral Athletes\" at the Olympics -- Summer and Winter -- and other competitions conducted under its auspices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Astrit Hasani, President of the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF), has issued an open letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, calling for an end to the use of the \u201cIndividual Neutral Athlete\u201d (AIN) status in international sport. The letter, sent from Lausanne on Friday (October 3), appeals to Olympic values and warns of the risks of politicising sport. SportsIn has obtained exclusive access to the full text.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSport is above politics\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hasani, who hails from Kosovo, a country that has long struggled for international recognition, makes a principled appeal: \u201cSport is above politics.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While his initiative defends Russian and Belarusian athletes on an individual basis, Hasani stresses that his broader concern is the future of the Olympic Games. According to him, political interference undermines the very foundation of Olympism.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Clash with Olympic values<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The EWF president argues that the application of AIN status contradicts the Olympic Charter\u2019s core pillars\u2014neutrality, universality, and the unifying power of sport. \u201cAthletes should be judged by their own conduct and not by the political actions of their leaders,\u201d Hasani writes. \u201cThe principle of individual responsibility must be applied. Any sanctions should target those directly responsible, not athletes whose only goal is to compete.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kosovo as an example<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Drawing on his own country\u2019s history, Hasani recalls the powerful symbolism of judoka Majlinda Kelmendi competing in Russia under the Kosovo flag\u2014despite Russia\u2019s non-recognition of his homeland. \u201cThat moment showed that sport can rise above political divisions,\u201d he emphasises, pointing to Kosovo\u2019s resilience as proof that inclusion strengthens, rather than weakens, international sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Warning for the future<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hasani is not only calling for the lifting of AIN restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes. He also urges the IOC to commit to never applying such measures again. \u201cRestoring participation rights would not be a political act, but a reaffirmation of Olympic values,\u201d he insists.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His warning comes at a sensitive time, as the IOC struggles to balance geopolitical realities, UN decisions, and the principle of equality in sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hasani is not only calling for the lifting of AIN restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes. He also urges the IOC to commit to never applying such measures again. \u201cRestoring participation rights would not be a political act, but a reaffirmation of Olympic values,\u201d he insists.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hasani\u2019s message is clear -- the Olympic movement must preserve its essence and allow athletes to compete as ambassadors of peace and mutual respect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n