Finland moves to restrict entry for Russian athletes before Helsinki NHL games
Finland’s Foreign Ministry is preparing further entry restrictions for Russian citizens, including professional athletes, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said.
Orpo said the new measures would be ready quickly. He believes a complete ban on Russians entering Finland would be a “logical next step.”
Finnish broadcaster Yle reported that Helsinki will host two NHL games next week, with Russian players expected to compete. Russian athletes are also expected to attend the Finlandia Trophy figure skating competition in Helsinki on November 20–21 and a cross-country skiing World Cup event in Ruka on November 27–29.
In October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered Russia’s national team reinstated in international hockey tournaments. The International Ice Hockey Federation criticized the decision but said it intended to comply.
Several hockey federations in Northern Europe, including those of Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Denmark, and Czechia, said they would refuse to play against Russia’s national team in international tournaments.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland restricted entry by Russian citizens, including by halting the issuance of tourist visas to Russians.
Russian athletes in international sports
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