Finland bans Russian athletes ahead of skiing World Cup opener
The new rules also cover athletes cleared as neutrals and could affect upcoming events in Tampere, the International Skating Union 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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Both countries announced this Thursday, 12 November, that they want to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from taking part in competitions on their territory, and urge other European nations to do the same.
Russian high-level sport has close ties with the authorities and therefore cannot be "considered independently" of the war in Ukraine, the Norwegian government justifies.
Hindustan Times
rtl.luFinland, Norway block visas for Russian athletes
Finland, Norway block visas for Russian athletes
The government of Finland has decided to ban the arrival of Russian athletes from November 16 due to the war in Ukraine, which could affect a number of competitions in winter sports.
Winter Sports: Finland Shuts Out Russian Athletes: "As Long as Russia's War of Aggression Continues"
On Thursday, the Finnish government announced that it would restrict visas for athletes from Russia until the end of the war in Ukraine.
Norway will now close the door to Russian and Belarusian athletes as long as the war in Ukraine continues.
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