Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Finland and Norway are implementing stricter measures to bar Russian athletes from participating in international sports events within their borders. Norway’s restrictions extend to Belarusian athletes and their support teams, reflecting a unified stance against Russia’s actions.
Starting November 16, Finland will enforce tighter visa and entry regulations that will exclude Russian athletes, even those competing under a neutral flag. According to Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, sports are being used by Moscow as a propaganda tool, and thus, Russian athletes should not be allowed to compete in Finland as long as the war persists. The new rules stipulate that professional sports will not be a valid reason for short-term entry, whether these athletes arrive directly from Russia or via another Schengen area country.
Norway has also instructed its immigration authorities and police to deny entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their support staff for sporting competitions. These measures are expected to be enforced soon, possibly impacting significant upcoming events such as the cross-country skiing World Cup in Trondheim this December and the Figure Skating World Championships in Tampere in March 2027.
The International Skating Union has requested clarification from Finnish organizers about how these new restrictions might affect the scheduled events. This move by Finland and Norway poses a challenge to international sports federations that have allowed the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes under neutral status.
Ukraine has welcomed Finland’s decision and is urging other European nations to adopt similar restrictive measures. The actions taken by Finland and Norway underscore their commitment to maintaining pressure on Russia as the conflict in Ukraine continues.