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Russian pair in final of Olympic tennis doubles / Photo: Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA - AFP
Russian pair in final of Olympic tennis doubles
Russia's Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider on Friday reached the final of the women's tennis doubles at the Olympics, where they are competing as neutrals, guaranteeing at least a silver medal.
They defeated Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain 6-1, 6-2 and will face Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini of Italy for gold.
Andreeva, 17, and 20-year-old Shnaider are playing their first event as a team.
They knocked out defending Olympic champions and second seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova in the quarter-finals. In four rounds they have yet to drop a set.
Earlier Friday, Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya from Belarus won silver in trampolining.
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.
(Y.Harris--TAG)
