Finland denies visas to Russian athletes

The Finnish government has banned Russian athletes from entering the country, viewing them as a threat due to Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stated that allowing Russian players could jeopardize Finland's international relations. This decision follows the International Olympic Committee's recommendation to reintegrate Russian and Belarusian athletes into international competitions, despite their exclusion since the war began in February 2022. Finland's national ice hockey team has refused to play against Russian teams, and they will not grant visas for the upcoming junior world championship if the war continues. Other countries, including Canada, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Norway, have also expressed similar stances against Russian participation in sports events.