Finland and Norway to bar Russian athletes from entry

Finland will bar Russian athletes and other sports professionals from entering for short-term work from November 16, while Norway plans to refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian athletes and accompanying staff arriving for competitions. The announcements come as international sports bodies have begun allowing some competitors from the countries to return under neutral conditions.

The Finnish government’s restrictions apply even to Russian athletes cleared to compete without national symbols or under neutral status. They also cover Russians competing for national teams, according to the Finnish Foreign Ministry. Russian citizens with short-term Schengen visas will generally be permitted to work in Finland only in activities considered essential to national interests; professional sports do not qualify.

Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said the government considered entry by Russian athletes a threat to the country’s international relations while Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. The Finnish government said the restriction applies whether Russian citizens arrive directly from Russia or travel through another Schengen country.

Norway announced its measure hours after...