AIN is a French acronym that stands for Individual Neutral Athletes, a label used for athletes with Russian and Belarussian passports, given that both countries are currently banned from the Olympics.

While "AIN" may appear as a country code at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, it doesn't actually represent a nation at all.

By Giselda Vagnoni MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Olympic hosts Italy called on Thursday for a reversal of the decision to let 10 Russian and Belarusian athletes compete with national flags and anthems at next month’s Paralympic Games.

Many Olympic athletes represent 'AIN' country, but what does AIN mean? And why isn't Belarus and Russia in the Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, mark a historic moment for the Games. Not only because Italy is hosting for the first time since Torino 2006, but because these Olympics will be taking place in multiple locations, with venues scattered across the Italian Alps and Dolomites.

Though Olympics viewers missed out on artistic gymnastics Friday, the unique, one-day trampoline gymnastics event took place, with two of the event's medalists leaving many fans with questions.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is underway. Two countries, however, were barred from participating in the field. Those nations include Russia and Belarus.

"AIN" stands for "Individual Neutral Athletes." It is an acronym of the French, "Athlètes Individuels Neutres." AINs are athletes with Belarusian or Russian passports who were cleared to compete in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games after both Russia and Belarus were banned from competing as national delegations.

Six Russian athletes and four Belarusians will be allowed to represent their nations, officials said. The decision could pave the way for a Russian team to compete at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.