Trampolinist from Belarus takes Olympic silver

Trampolinist Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya from Belarus won silver at the Paris Olympics on Friday, the first medal gained by an athlete from Russia or Belarus, who are competing as neutrals.

The 19-year-old was beaten into second place in the women's trampolining final by Britain's Bryony Page, with Canada's Sophiane Methot grabbing bronze.

Anzhela Bladtcheva, a Russian trampolinist also competing as a neutral, came in fifth.

Athletes from Russia and ally Belarus were banned from world sport following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

But the IOC has overseen their gradual return under a neutral banner, under strict conditions.

To be invited to the Games, "neutral individual athletes" who achieved good enough results to qualify, had to pass a double check.

The international sports federations and the IOC verified that the competitors did not actively support the war in Ukraine or have any links with their countries' armies.

They were not allowed to take part in the opening ceremony or compete under their national flags.

If they make the podium, their achievements are not recognised in the medals table.

Only 15 Russians and 17 Belarusians accepted the invitation to compete under the neutral banner.

Global Rights Compliance, a Hague-based human rights foundation, has claimed that 10 of the 15 Russians at the Games were in violation of "the principles of participation" of neutral athletes.