Estonia bans Russian athletes as backlash intensifies
Summary
Estonia will maintain its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes entering the country, despite the International Ski Federation’s decision to allow some competitors from those countries to take part as neutral athletes. Norway, Finland and Canada have also announced restrictions, as sports bodies and governments respond to the countries’ return to international competition during Russia’s war in Ukraine.Key Facts
- Estonia told the International Ski Federation that it would maintain a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes introduced in 2022.
- The International Ski Federation permits eligible Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in individual events if they sign a neutrality declaration.
- The federation’s rules leave visas and entry decisions to each host country.
- Norway and Finland said they would block visas for Russian athletes.
- Canada said it would not issue visas for Russian players seeking to compete in the World Junior Hockey Championship while the war continues.
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the International Ice Hockey Federation’s ban on Russia, ruling that the federation had not provided enough evidence to support its safety and security arguments.
- The International Paralympic Committee lifted partial suspensions, allowing some Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags at the Winter Paralympics.
- The International Olympic Committee provisionally reinstated Russia to its competitions in July.
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