Key Facts

• Latvia barred Alex Ovechkin, a Washington Capitals hockey player, from entering the country.
• Ovechkin appeared in a political ad for a Russian party backed by President Vladimir Putin.
• Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association, was also banned from Latvia.
• The decision was made by Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže.
• The bans are part of Latvia’s list of people they want to keep out due to political reasons.
• The move reflects Latvia’s stance against Russian political influence.
• Ovechkin is a well-known Russian athlete, and Kremlev holds a key boxing leadership role.