Finland says it will restrict entry for Russian athletes because of the war in Ukraine, starting Monday and affecting some upcoming events.
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Finland announced it will restrict entry to the country for Russian athletes because of Russia’s war in Ukraine, with the measure taking effect Monday.
In a statement, Finland’s foreign affairs minister Elina Valtonen said, “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,” adding that the same is true of other short-term work under visas that is not essential to Finland’s national interests.
The Finnish foreign ministry said the restriction would affect Russian athletes competing under neutral status as well as those competing for national teams.
The International Skating Union (ISU) said it has taken note of the Finnish government’s announcement and its “possible consequential impact” on sporting events, including the ISU figure skating world championships in Tampere, Finland, in March, and said it is studying the implications and “seeking clarifications” from skating officials in Finland.
Finland’s decision follows backlash in the country to Russia being reinstated for the ice hockey world championships, though the effects were described as being felt mostly in other sports.
The source also noted that Finland hosts a figure skating Grand Prix next week and a cross-country skiing World Cup this month, and that the change is not expected to affect the week’s NHL games in Helsinki between the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes, or scheduled ski World Cup slalom races in Levi on Saturday and Sunday.
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