Finland Bars Russian Athletes From Entering, Citing War in Ukraine
Finland will stop Russian athletes from entering the country, its government said on Thursday, citing Russia's war in Ukraine. The restriction covers Russians competing as neutrals as well as those representing Russia's national teams, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Russian athletes have no place in Finland while the war continues. She also said their entry would threaten Finland's international relations, according to The Guardian.
The new rule takes effect on Monday, Nov. 16. From that date, Finnish authorities will weigh the government's resolution when they decide on visa applications and set the conditions for entry and short stays. A visa is the document a foreign visitor needs before arriving. The tighter rules apply to short-term work on a visa, and that includes professional sports.
In practice, a Russian athlete who needs a visa to compete in Finland could be turned away. That is the hard part for sports bodies, which must plan events months ahead.
The International Skating Union, the sport's governing body for figure skating, said it had taken note of the Finnish decision and was studying what it means. It is also seeking clarification from skating officials in Finland. The union added that athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments.
The timing matters for skating fans. Finland is due to host the ISU figure skating world championships in Tampere in March. Finland is also due to host the European track and field championships in 2030.
Other sports have already drawn their own lines. World Athletics, the sport's international federation, keeps a blanket ban on Russian athletes. In ice hockey, Finland is among a group of European teams that have vowed not to play against Russia at the world championships.
For a casual fan, the story comes down to one question: who gets to compete, and where. Finland has now answered it for its own borders. How the skating union and other federations respond is still open, and the union's review is under way.
