Sweden may follow Finland and Norway in refusing visas to Russian athletes

In brief

• Sweden's government is considering refusing entry to Russian athletes, citing the risk of propaganda at the Nordic Ski World Championships in Falun.
• Norway has said it will not issue visas to Russian athletes, arguing Russian elite sport is tied to state structures and the war in Ukraine.
• Finland acted first, and Estonia has also announced visa refusals for Russian athletes.

Nordic countries move to block Russian athletes

The step is aimed at the Nordic Ski World Championships in Falun, where Russian competitors are currently allowed to start. (Wintersport: Auch Schweden will russischen Sportlern die Einreise verweigern – ZEIT ONLINE)

Norway has announced it will not issue visas to Russian athletes, pointing to the International Olympic Committee and several sports federations that want to readmit Russian competitors to international events. Oslo's position is that Russia's elite sport is closely tied to state structures, so its athletes cannot be separated from the war in Ukraine. (Wintersport - Nach Finnland wollen auch Norwegen, Schweden und Estland russischen Sportlern die Einreise verweigern – Deutschlandfunk)

Finland acted first, and Estonia has also said it will deny visas to Russian athletes.

Events affected

The three countries host a busy winter sports calendar. Cross-country and ski events, figure skating, and World Cup competitions take place there, which is why the visa question matters beyond a single championship.

The wider debate

The question of whether Russian athletes should return to international competition during the war divides the sports world. Visa policy is one of the few tools national governments hold to influence whether Russian competitors take part on their territory, and the Nordic states are now using it in parallel.

Read also

• Norway to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from entering, following Finland
• Finland to Bar Russian Athletes From Entry Over Ukraine War, Effective Monday
• Estonia Will Not Admit Russian and Belarusian Athletes to Competitions Until Ukraine War Ends