Politics · Other · 41 mins ago
Finland to restrict entry for Russian athletes
Finland will restrict Russian athletes’ entry because of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the foreign ministry says.
The rule applies to athletes competing for Russian teams and those competing under neutral status.
The measure takes effect Monday and may affect winter sports events hosted in Finland.
Finland is hosting a figure skating Grand Prix next week and a cross-country ski World Cup this month, where Russians can compete as neutral athletes.
The figure skating world championships in Tampere in March could be affected, with Russian skaters expected to be among the top medal contenders.
The restrictions follow a backlash in Finland after Russia was reinstated for the ice hockey world championships.
Finland says Russian athletes’ entry would threaten its international relations, and the rule may also apply to other short-term work under visas that is not essential to national interests.
Finland says it will restrict Russian athletes’ entry because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The measure will apply to athletes competing both under neutral status and for national teams.
It takes effect from Monday, according to the Finnish Foreign Ministry.
The restrictions could affect winter sports events in Finland, including the figure skating world championships in Tampere in March.
Finland is also hosting a figure skating Grand Prix next week and a cross-country ski World Cup this month.
- Who
- Russian athletes, including those competing as neutral athletes and for national teams.
- What
- Finland will restrict their entry into the country.
- When
- The measure takes effect from Monday; the specific date is not stated.
- Where
- Finland.
- Why
- Finland says Russia’s war in Ukraine makes the athletes’ entry a threat to its international relations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Finland is due to host a cross-country ski World Cup, where Russians are allowed to compete as neutral athletes.
Finland is due to host a figure skating Grand Prix, where Russians are allowed to compete as neutral athletes.
Finland’s entry restrictions for Russian athletes take effect.
The figure skating world championships are scheduled to take place in Tampere, Finland, and Russian skaters are expected to be among the top medal contenders.
- Scope
- Applies to Russian athletes competing under neutral status and for national teams
- Start
- Monday; exact date not stated
- Figure skating Grand Prix
- Finland; next week
- Cross-country ski World Cup
- Finland; this month
- Figure skating world championships
- Tampere, Finland; March
3 sources
What people are saying
As long as Russia’s war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland. Their entry into the country would be a threat to Finland’s international relations. The same is true of other short-term work under visas that is not essential to Finland’s national interests.