Silver Medallists, Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider of Team Individual Neutral Athletes pose on the podium. GETTY IMAGES

Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider made history by becoming the first Russian athletes to win a medal at the Paris Olympics, securing silver in the women's doubles tennis event after losing the final to the Italian duo Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.

Russian and Belarusian athletes were excluded from international sports following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, the IOC has allowed their return under strict conditions, provided they compete as neutrals. In Paris, only 15 Russian and 17 Belarusian athletes are participating.

In this reduced roster of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), the young tandem of athletes, competing under a neutral flag, faced a tough battle in the final, falling in the super tiebreak of the third set by 10-7 against the Italians.



"I don't mind," responded Andreeva, who has become the second youngest tennis player in history to win an Olympic medal since Jennifer Capriati in the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, when asked about competing as a neutral. "I just go out there to play and fight. That's what we did together this week," continued the promising 17-year-old athlete, currently ranked 23rd in the world.

For her part, Shnaider avoided discussing the ban on the flag and anthem as part of the intricate sanctions on Russia. "We're here to compete as a team. I'm not going to answer any political questions. I'm here to talk about tennis," she openly declared before starting the press conference.

To be invited to Paris, these "neutral individual athletes" had to meet strict criteria, including passing a double vetting process by international sports federations and the IOC. This process ensured that the athletes could not actively support the war in Ukraine, make any gestures, or have any ties to their countries' armed forces.

Andreeva and Shnaider, teamed up for the first time in Paris. Their path to the final included a remarkable victory over the defending Olympic champions and second seeds, the Czech pair Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova, in the quarterfinals.

Italy, Gold medallists, Neutral Athletes, Silver medallists and Spain, Bronze medallists pose on the podium. GETTY IMAGES
Italy, Gold medallists, Neutral Athletes, Silver medallists and Spain, Bronze medallists pose on the podium. GETTY IMAGES

Perhaps it was their extreme youth that clashed head-on in the final against the veteran Errani and Paolini. The experienced Italian duo used their extensive experience to overcome two of the players with the highest potential in the circuit.

This year has been full of records for the Russian prospects. Andreeva became the youngest player to reach the semifinals of the French Open in the last 20 years, while Shnaider arrived in Paris after winning her third singles title in Budapest.

Belarusian athletes have also enjoyed success in Paris. For instance, Ivan Litvinovich won gold in men's trampoline last Friday, while Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya took silver in the same discipline in the women's category.