To be invited to Paris, “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 and their achievements are not recognised in the medals table.

Andreeva, 17, and 20-year-old Shnaider, playing their first event as a team, went down to a 2-6, 6-1, 10-7 defeat to the experienced Italians in Sunday’s final.

They had knocked out defending Olympic champions and second seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova in the quarter-finals.

Andreeva and Shnaider are both top-25 players in singles.

At this year’s French Open, Andreeva was the youngest player to reach the semi-finals since 1997.

Shnaider arrived in Paris having won a third singles title in Budapest.

Belarusians have already enjoyed some success in the French capital.

Ivan Litvinovich won men’s trampoline gold on Friday while Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya claimed silver in the women’s event.