Finland and Norway bar Russian athletes from events on their soil

Finland and Norway moved on Thursday, Nov. 12, to keep Russian athletes out of international competitions held on their territory, challenging sports federations that have begun readmitting Russian and Belarusian competitors under neutral status.

Finland's government unveiled tighter visa and entry restrictions for Russian athletes, including those competing without national symbols, with the measures taking effect Nov. 16. Under the resolution, Russian citizens seeking to work in Finland on short-term Schengen visas will generally be admitted only for activities considered essential to the country's national interests. The rules apply whether Russians enter directly from Russia or through another Schengen country.

"As long as Russia's war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland," Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said in a statement. "Their entry into the country would be a threat to Finland's international relations," she added, accusing Moscow of using sport as a "tool for propaganda." Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) border with Russia and has kept strict entry restrictions on Russian citizens since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Norway announced similar measures hours later, saying Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their support teams would be denied entry for sporting competitions. Immigration authorities and police will be instructed to refuse entry, the government said; Oslo did not give a date. Justice and Public Security Minister Astri Aas Hansen said that "Norway already has a restrictive visa practice" for Russian and Belarusian citizens, but is now further tightening who is allowed to travel there. Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery said Oslo opposed the return of Russian and Belarusian professionals while the war continues.

The decisions could hit the cross-country skiing World Cup in Trondheim in December and the World Cup opener in Ruka on Nov. 27-29. The International Skating Union said it was examining the implications for the Figure Skating World Championships scheduled for March 2027 in Tampere and seeking clarification from Finnish organisers, adding that athletes should not be punished for their governments' actions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha welcomed Finland's decision and urged European countries to "close the remaining loopholes" in pressure on Russia. On Oct. 30, the Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a ruling opening the way for Russia's return to international ice hockey; the International Ice Hockey Federation had opposed it. Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Czech Republic have said they would refuse to face Russia at the World Championships in Germany.