Belarusian Neutral Athlete Secures First Medal at Paris Olympics

Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya of Belarus won the silver medal in women's trampoline at the Paris Olympics, marking the first medal by a neutral athlete. Competing as one of 17 Belarusians barred from team sports due to the Ukraine conflict, she placed behind Britain's Bryony Page and ahead of Canada's Sophiane Methot.

Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya of Belarus earned a silver medal in women's trampoline at the Paris Olympics, making history as the first neutral athlete to win a medal at the event.

Bardzilouskaya scored 56.060, narrowly trailing Britain's Bryony Page, who scored 56.480. Canada's Sophiane Methot secured bronze with a score of 55.650.

The 19-year-old Bardzilouskaya is part of a group of 17 Belarusian athletes competing as neutrals due to restrictions stemming from the war in Ukraine. Although barred from team sports, individual athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports can qualify and compete if approved.

Bardzilouskaya did not compete internationally for two years due to sanctions imposed by the International Gymnastics Federation in response to the Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022. She resumed international competition this year, participating in World Cup events to accumulate enough points to qualify for the Olympics, and was approved to join the AIN team in June.