With 215 athletes from Russia and Belarus cleared by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to compete in upcoming World Cup events, Nordic governments and local officials are scrambling to block their entry through visa restrictions as the winter season approaches.
The Swedish Protests and Finnish Visas
The Swedish government has formally reached out to the European Commission to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the upcoming World Ski Championships in Falun. Swedish authorities have asked the government and the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet) to help prevent Russian athletes from participating in the Falun World Championships in late February, according to SVT coverage cited by VG. Meanwhile, Nettavisen reported that the Finnish Foreign Ministry is closely evaluating its own stance on the matter. The Finnish ministry stated that while professional athletes belong to an exceptional category that can be considered for necessary travel under strict Schengen rules, no automatic visas will be issued, and applications will be scrutinized carefully under EU visa codes. The Finnish Foreign Ministry stated that they do not exclude seeing Russians participate in the World Cup opening in Finland, noting that they maintain a very strict visa policy toward the Russian Federation while the war of aggression against Ukraine continues. They also noted that in recent years they have received only a very limited number of visa applications from Russian athletes, and while applications are not currently pouring in, those that arrive will be reviewed very carefully. In Sweden, the government addressed a protest letter to the European Commission to stop Russian VM participation, and cross-country star Linn Svahn supports lifting the matter to the authorities level, according to SVT, while William Poromaa demands that Veronika Stepanova, who has openly supported Vladimir Putin, should not be granted neutral status by FIS, stating that otherwise one has gone against everything one has previously said
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Norwegian Municipal Pushback
In Norway, local political leaders are demanding that the national government take immediate action to deny entry visas for the upcoming races. Oslo Anne Lindboe and Governing Eirik Lae Solberg urged the government to follow Sweden’s lead and revoke the professional athlete exemption in Norwegian immigration rules, Nettavisen reported. Trondheim Kent Ranum and Stavanger Mayor Tormod W. Losnedal echoed these demands, pointing out that local authorities lack the legal mandate to bar athletes from competitions like the upcoming World Cup events in Trondheim. Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery stated to NTB that the government is currently in dialogue with the Confederation of Sports (Norges idrettsforbund) to review different alternatives. Høyre mayors in the two municipalities support the initiative from Oslo Mayor and party colleague Anne Lindboe. Tormod W. Losnedal told NTB that he sees absolutely no reason for athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in Norway as long as the war in Ukraine continues. Local politicians point out that they themselves lack the mandate to lock anyone out from the relevant events, with Sunni Grøndahl Aamodt, the Sp mayor, writing in an email that for now we relate to guidelines from national authorities
, while adding that the government must step into the field. Zaineb Al-Samarai noted that Norwegian sports share the same view as their Nordic sister organizations, stating that the question of who shall be granted entry to Norway, and what rules shall apply for entry and visa, is however a governmental responsibility. Meanwhile, Christian Democrat politician Øyvind Håbrekke wrote that Russians are more than welcome to attend the folk festival in Holmenkollen together with everyone else, criticizing Aftenposten’s editorial headline and stating that those who opened Aftenposten on Wednesday must have had an unpleasant start to the day, while arguing that Aftenposten should apologize for the title and think better of it next time.
Brazilian ski federation proposes venue shift
Because of ongoing disputes over participation, the Brazilian ski federation proposed moving the Falun World Championships to Val di Fiemme in Italy if Swedish authorities refuse entry to the athletes, VG reported. Russian distance star Aleksandr Bolsjunov has been selected for the World Cup events in Ruka and Trondheim pending the formal approval of his neutral status, according to Nettavisen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific requirements for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete internationally?
Athletes must apply individually to FIS for neutral status, sign a neutrality declaration, and comply with all anti-doping regulations. VG noted they are restricted to individual events only, with no participation allowed in relay teams or team sprints, and they must secure valid entry visas from the host nations.
When and where are the first major Nordic skiing events scheduled for the season?
Lillehammer is scheduled to host World Cup ski jumping events from November 20 to November 22. Following that, World Cup cross-country and Nordic combined events are scheduled in Trondheim from December 4 to December 6.
How have international sports bodies altered their restrictions since 2022?
While a strict ban was put in place following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, FIS has since lemped its restrictions to permit 215 individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete under neutral flags during the upcoming winter season, provided they meet individual neutrality and doping compliance criteria.
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