Finland’s decision to restrict entry for Russian athletes due to the war in Ukraine has prompted the International Skating Union to warn of a possible consequential impact on the figure skating world championships, sportsnet.ca reported.
The government measure applies to athletes competing under neutral status as well as national teams, according to the Finnish foreign ministry. “Their entry into the country would be a threat to Finland's international relations,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen said, adding that Russian athletes have no business in the country while the war continues.
“As long as Russia’s war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland,” Valtonen said in a statement reported by sportsnet.ca.
The policy change arrives amid a broader European hockey dispute. Finland’s hockey federation has rallied support among a group of European teams refusing to play against Russia at upcoming international tournaments, sportsnet.ca reported.
Finland hosts a figure skating Grand Prix and a cross-country skiing World Cup this month, both of which permit Russians to compete as neutral athletes. The most prominent event affected is the figure skating world championships scheduled for March in Tampere, where Russian skaters are expected to contend for top medals, sportsnet.ca reported.
The International Skating Union stated it has taken note of the Finnish government’s announcement and is studying its implications. The organization added that it is seeking clarifications from skating officials in Finland.
“ISU believes that athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments in a world where, sadly, many conflicts are ongoing,” the International Skating Union said, according to sportsnet.ca.
Because the visa restrictions take effect from Monday, they are not expected to impact this week’s NHL games in Helsinki between the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes, or scheduled ski World Cup slalom races in Levi, sportsnet.ca reported. The International Ski Federation told The Associated Press that it is committed to supporting athletes and local organizers while managing a complex situation.
The restrictions in Finland parallel actions in Canada, where the government is attempting to prevent Russia from playing in the world junior hockey championships starting next month, even for players holding existing Canadian visas, sportsnet.ca reported. Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the visa changes.
Looking further ahead, Finland is scheduled to host the ice hockey world juniors in Tampere and Turku in December 2027 and January 2028, alongside the European track and field championships in 2030, according to sportsnet.ca. World Athletics maintains a blanket ban on Russian participation in track events, though that policy faces an ongoing legal challenge.
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