Norway follows Finland in barring Russian athletes from entering country over Ukraine war

What Happened

Norway’s government announced it would instruct immigration authorities and police to refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and accompanying support staff if they come to Norway to take part in sporting competitions. Justice and Public Security Minister Astri Aas-Hansen said Norway already had a restrictive visa practice but was further tightening who is allowed to travel there; the changes are to enter into force ‘shortly’. The government said recent relaxations by international sports federations meant more athletes and support staff from the two countries could come to compete, and that Russian elite sport’s close ties to Russian authorities meant it could not be viewed independently from the war in Ukraine. The announcement came hours after Finland said it would block visas for Russian athletes, with Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stating: ‘As long as Russia’s war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland.’ Finland’s measure takes effect Monday and affects Russians competing under neutral status as well as those representing national teams.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The coordinated Nordic entry bans extend the political isolation of Russian and Belarusian athletes beyond existing sports federation rules, pitting national border controls against international federations’ neutral-athlete policies. It signals that European host countries may unilaterally block participation at major events—including the FIS World Cup in Trondheim in December and the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Tampere in March—even where governing bodies have reinstated athletes. This reflects the broader use of visa and immigration powers as sanctions tools amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Watch For

Norway’s entry ban is to take effect ‘shortly’ with no exact date announced; Finland’s visa block starts Monday. The ISU is seeking clarifications from Finnish skating officials ahead of the World Figure Skating Championships in Tampere in March, and the FIS World Cup in Trondheim in December may test whether Russian and Belarusian athletes are denied despite FIS clearance. Germany is weighing whether to proceed with hosting the men’s ice hockey world championships. World Athletics’ blanket ban on Russian participation faces a legal challenge.