Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen speaks during a signing ceremony of an MoU with State Secretary Marco Rubio in the Treaty Room at the State Department, Thursday, Oct 29, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

By The Canadian Press

Finland to restrict entry to Russian athletes ahead of winter sports events

Nov 12, 2026 | 7:46 AM

HELSINKI (AP) — Finland says it will restrict entry to the country for Russian athletes because of the war in Ukraine, potentially affecting a raft of winter sports.

The move follows a backlash in Finland to Russia being reinstated for the ice hockey world championships, but its effects could mostly be felt in other sports.

“As long as Russia’s war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland. 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,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen said in a statement.

The Finnish foreign ministry said the measure would affect Russian athletes competing under neutral status as well as those competing for national teams.

Finland hosts a figure skating Grand Prix next week and a cross-country ski World Cup this month. Both sports allow Russians to compete as “neutral athletes.”

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One major event likely to be affected is the figure skating world championships in Tampere, Finland, in March. Russian skaters are expected to be among the top medal contenders.

The change takes effect from Monday, so it is does not appear likely to affect this week’s NHL games in Helsinki between the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes. Finland is among a group of European teams which have vowed not to play against Russia at upcoming hockey world championships.

In the longer term, Finland is also hosting the European track and field championships in 2030. Track’s governing body, World Athletics, maintains a blanket ban on Russian participation, though it faces a legal challenge.

Finland’s move comes a day after Canada announced that Russian hockey players would not be permitted to compete at next month’s world junior championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, even if they already hold valid Canadian visas.

Canada’s decision followed a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling last month ordering the International Ice Hockey Federation to reinstate Russia in international competition. Several hockey federations, including Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Norway, have said their teams will refuse to face Russia.

The IIHF has not formally announced any changes to the 10-team tournament, which begins Dec. 26.

With files from The Canadian Press

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by The Canadian Press

Finland to restrict entry to Russian athletes ahead of winter sports events

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