Finland bars Russian athletes, including neutral competitors, from entering the country starting Nov. 16

Finland's government adopted a policy decision today, Thursday, Nov. 12, that treats entry by Russian athletes as a threat to the country's international relations. The restrictions take effect Monday, Nov. 16.

"As long as Russia's war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland," Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said. "Their entry into the country would be a threat to Finland's international relations. The same is true of other short-term work under visas that is not essential to Finland's national interests."

The Foreign Ministry said the measure covers Russians competing under neutral status and those competing for national teams. It also covers other sports professionals.

What the rule does

The decision will be factored into visa applications and into decisions on entry and short-term stays. It applies regardless of where a Russian citizen arrives from, and regardless of whether the person is heading on to another Schengen country through Finland.

Exceptions are possible for work the government considers necessary in Finland's national interests, with the ministry citing maintenance of essential supplies as an example. Sports are not in that category.

The Finnish government's stated rationale is that Russia uses sport as a propaganda tool and pursues the aims of its war against Ukraine through athletic activity. Finland already restricted non-essential travel by Russian citizens in 2022.

The calendar

Because the rule starts Monday, it should not touch this week's NHL games in Helsinki between the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes. It also should not affect the ski World Cup slalom races in Levi on Saturday and Sunday.

Finland hosts a figure skating Grand Prix next week. Both skating and cross-country skiing allow Russians to compete as neutral athletes.

The Ruka resort hosts World Cup cross-country races from Nov. 27 to 29, along with men's World Cup ski jumping on Nov. 28 and 29. The World Cup returns to Lahti for races from Feb. 12 to 14.

The biggest event in the line of fire is the figure skating world championships in Tampere in March 2027. Russian skaters are expected to be among the top medal contenders.

Longer-term bookings include the world junior hockey championships in Tampere and Turku in December 2027 and January 2028. The European track and field championships follow in 2030. World Athletics maintains a blanket ban on Russian participation, though that ban faces a legal challenge.

Pushback from skating's governing body

The International Skating Union said it "has taken note of the statement today by the Finnish government" and is "studying its implications." It said it is seeking clarifications from skating officials in Finland.

The ISU also stated its position: "ISU believes that athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments in a world where, sadly, many conflicts are ongoing."

The ISU allowed Russian and Belarusian skaters back into international competition for the 2026-27 season under strict neutral status. It said it was following International Olympic Committee recommendations. The IOC provisionally lifted its ban on the Russian and Belarusian Olympic Committees in July.

The International Ski Federation and the IOC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The hockey fight behind it

The decision follows a backlash in Finland over Russia's reinstatement for the ice hockey world championships. On Oct. 30, the Court of Arbitration for Sport granted an appeal by the Russian Ice Hockey Federation. It ordered the International Ice Hockey Federation to let Russian national teams into several international competitions in 2026 and 2027, including the world championship.

The hockey federations of Austria, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Sweden and the Czech Republic then announced they would boycott matches against Russia.

The 2027 men's world championship is scheduled for Germany from May 14 to 30. Germany is weighing whether to go ahead as host. The German hockey federation has raised concerns about security costs at venues and potential ticket refunds.

Ukraine's Youth and Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi said Ukraine's team intends to play in the tournament but will not take the ice against Russian players.

Canada is separately trying to keep Russia out of the world junior hockey championships in Alberta next month, even for players who already hold Canadian visas.

What comes next

The immediate question is whether the ISU gets its clarifications from Finnish authorities before the Tampere worlds in March, and what it does if Russian skaters cannot enter. The first concrete tests arrive within weeks, with the Grand Prix next week and the Ruka World Cup weekend on Nov. 27 to 29.