Finland bans Russian athletes ahead of skiing World Cup opener
The move follows backlash over Russia’s return to ice hockey, and officials say the rules will also cover athletes competing under neutral status.
- 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.
159 Articles
159 Articles
Finland and Norway, bordering Russia, announced on Thursday that they will ban the entry of Russian athletes into their territory, considering that they represent a threat. The decision takes place in the midst of Russia's war against Ukraine and precedes the holding of international sporting events in both European countries, which casts doubt on the participation of Russian sportsmen.
ISU Seeks Clarification as Finland Moves to Deny Visas to Russian Athletes
Russian figure skaters are finally getting a chance to return to international competition after more than four years away from the sport. The ISU had kept Russian and Belarusian athletes out of its events following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, on June 30, 2026, it announced that eligible skaters could return from the […]
Finland and Norway announced on Thursday that they would prohibit Russian athletes from entering their territory to compete as long as the war in Ukraine continues. ...
Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that the government will now ban Russian athletes from entering its territory as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine. "As long as Russia's war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland," said Elina Valtonen, Foreign Minister of ...
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