Finland to restrict entry to Russian athletes ahead of winter sports events

REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE: Finland hosts a figure skating Grand Prix next week and a cross-country ski World Cup this month. | Photo Credit: AP

Finland says it will restrict entry to the country for Russian athletes because of the war in Ukraine, potentially affecting a raft of winter sports.

The move follows a backlash in Finland to Russia being reinstated for the ice hockey world championships, but its effects could mostly be felt in other sports.

“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,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen said in a statement.

The Finnish foreign ministry said the measure would affect Russian athletes competing under neutral status as well as those competing for national teams.

Finland hosts a figure skating Grand Prix next week and a cross-country ski World Cup this month. Both sports allow Russians to compete as “neutral athletes.”

One major event likely to be affected is the figure skating world championships in Tampere, Finland, in March. Russian skaters are expected to be among the top medal contenders.

The change takes effect from Monday, so it is does not appear likely to affect this week’s NHL games in Helsinki between the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes. Finland is among a group of European teams which have vowed not to play against Russia at upcoming hockey world championships.

In the longer term, Finland is also hosting the European track and field championships in 2030. Track’s governing body, World Athletics maintains a blanket ban on Russian participation, though that is facing a legal challenge.