Ain Country: What AIN Means as Adeliia Petrosian Skates in the Free Skate

Adeliia Petrosian is entered under the ain country designation and will take the ice in the women's free skate at 4: 15 p. m. ET today, a moment that could change a medal tally that already includes one AIN silver as of Feb. 19.

Ain Country designation explained

The AIN badge on start lists does not represent a nation: AIN stands for "Athletes Individuels Neutres, " a French phrase identifying screened and cleared competitors from Russia and Belarus. The Games have barred Russian and Belarusian national flags and anthems, and athletes competing as AIN have no AIN flag or national anthem at medal ceremonies.

Petrosian, the roster and the medal count

Petrosian, 18, is among the AIN athletes cleared to skate; she appears on start lists for the women's free skate at 4: 15 p. m. ET today and follows the short programme where she sat fifth. The AIN delegation at these Winter Olympics includes athletes from Russia and Belarus, a total of 20 AIN competitors across disciplines such as figure skating and ski mountaineering.

The AIN medal count stood at one on Feb. 19 after Nikita Filippov, an AIN competitor from Russia, won silver in the men's ski mountaineering sprint. Petrosian skates ahead of other top entries in the free skate and could add to that total later today.

Screening, politics and talk of a return

Individual athletes were allowed to compete only after screening that reviewed their backgrounds and public statements; the AIN designation was created so cleared athletes could participate without national symbols. The political backdrop remains visible: officials in Moscow have signaled support for competitors and some have suggested a faster return to competing under the national flag in future Games.

For now, the immediate schedule is concrete: Petrosian will perform in the women's free skate at 4: 15 p. m. ET today, and the AIN medal tally will be updated as events conclude later in the day.