Introduction
The Olympics are a prestigious event that brings together athletes from all over the world to compete in a variety of sports. One term that is commonly used in the Olympics is ‘AN’, which stands for ‘Authorised Neutral’.
What Does AN Stand for?
AN stands for Authorised Neutral and is used to refer to athletes who are allowed to compete in the Olympics as neutrals when their country’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) has been banned or suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Reasons for Being an Authorised Neutral
There are several reasons why a country’s NOC may be banned or suspended by the IOC. This could be due to issues such as doping violations, political interference, or other forms of misconduct that go against the rules and principles of the Olympics.
Examples of AN Athletes
One notable example of AN athletes competing in the Olympics is from Russia. Following the state-sponsored doping scandal that took place during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, the IOC banned Russia from competing under its own flag at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. As a result, Russian athletes were allowed to compete as AN athletes.
Case Study: 2018 Winter Olympics
During the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, a total of 168 Russian athletes competed as AN athletes. They were allowed to wear neutral uniforms and compete under the Olympic flag instead of the Russian flag. While they were not able to represent their country officially, they were still able to showcase their talents and compete against athletes from around the world.
Statistics
According to the IOC, a total of 168 AN athletes from Russia competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics, making up one of the largest groups of AN athletes in Olympic history. This illustrates the significant impact that being an AN athlete can have on the Olympics.
Conclusion
AN athletes play a unique role in the Olympics by representing their country as neutrals when their NOC is banned or suspended. While they may not be able to compete under their country’s flag, they still have the opportunity to participate in the prestigious event and showcase their skills on the world stage.
