Finland bans Russian athletes ahead of skiing World Cup opener
The new rules also cover neutral-status competitors and could affect upcoming figure skating and skiing events, officials said.
- On Thursday, Finland's government announced restrictions preventing Russian athletes from entering the country, including those competing under neutral status, effective Monday, November 16.
- Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated, "As Russia's war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business coming to Finland," citing threats to international relations.
- The measure applies to athletes competing under neutral status and national teams, potentially impacting the Grand Prix and World Cup; it does not affect this week's NHL games in Helsinki.
- Competitions like the figure skating championships in Tampere, Finland, in March face uncertainty under the new restrictions, while only work deemed essential to national interests remains permitted.
- Finland remains among European teams vowing not to play Russia at upcoming hockey championships, and World Athletics maintains a separate ban on Russian participation ahead of 2030 track championships.
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The Finnish authorities will no longer issue visas to Russian athletes, including those competing under neutral banner, from 16 November 2026.
The Finnish authorities have tightened the rules for the issuance of visas to Russians, including professional athletes, and the relevant amendments to the fundamental decision on the entry of citizens of the Russian Federation were adopted by the Government on 12 November.
Finland does not want to let Russian athletes into the country for fear of propaganda. They have "nothing to look for there", says Foreign Minister Valtonen.
Novinky.cz
sport.czRussian athletes will not be able to participate in events in Finland until the war in Ukraine ends, the Finnish government announced on Thursday, saying they will not be able to obtain visas.
The Government of Finland has issued a decision tightening the entry for representatives of Russian sports.
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