In brief

• Norway's government will instruct immigration authorities and police to refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and support staff travelling for competitions.
• The measure follows a similar decision by Finland, which takes effect from 16 November and also covers athletes competing as neutrals.
• The Norwegian government links the move to the continuing war in Ukraine and to eased rules by international sports federations.

Norway's entry ban

Norway's Ministry of Justice and Public Security said it will direct the Directorate of Immigration and the police to deny entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and their accompanying staff when they arrive to take part in sporting events (Норвегия не будет пускать спортсменов из Беларуси и России – Reform.news) (Норвегия вслед за Финляндией собирается запретить въезд российским спортсменам — «пока продолжается война в Украине» – Meduza). Authorities will also be tasked with deporting such people if they are already in the country for competitions. The ministry said the changes would take effect soon (Норвегия вслед за Финляндией решила ввести запрет на въезд спортсменов из России – The Insider).

Reasoning given by the government

Norway already applies strict visa and entry rules to citizens of Russia and Belarus, the government said. It argues, however, that international sports federations have eased their restrictions, allowing more elite athletes and support personnel from both countries to travel to Norway. Minister of Justice Astri Aas-Hansen said the aim is to prevent entry of such professionals for as long as the war in Ukraine continues.

Finland's earlier decision

Finland acted first. Its government adopted a decree restricting entry for Russian athletes from 16 November, and the measure also covers those competing under a neutral status. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Russian athletes have no place in Finland while Russia's war of aggression continues. The International Skating Union said it was taking note of the Finnish decision and would review it. A figure skating Grand Prix stage in Helsinki scheduled for 20 to 22 November was among the events affected.

Context

The restrictions followed a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that returned the Russian national team to international hockey tournaments. Russian-language outlets link the Norwegian and Finnish moves to that ruling. The Norwegian government's announcement itself does not make that link.

Read also

• Finland to Bar Russian Athletes From Entry Over Ukraine War, Effective Monday