Norway to block Russian athletes from competing

Norway's government said Thursday it would stop Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and support staff from entering the country to compete while the war in Ukraine continues.

The government said it would instruct immigration authorities and police to refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and accompanying support staff if they come to Norway for sporting competitions. It said the changes would take effect shortly.

Justice and Public Security Minister Astri Aas Hansen said Norway already had restrictive visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens but was tightening who could travel to the country.

The government said recent relaxations by international sports federations meant more athletes and support staff from Russia and Belarus might come to Norway to compete. It said Russian elite sport had close ties to Russian authorities and could not be viewed independently from the war in Ukraine.

Norway is preparing to host a World Cup in cross-country skiing in Trondheim in December. The decision means Russian and Belarusian athletes could be blocked from competing even if they have been cleared by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, which has allowed athletes from the two countries to compete under conditions including not displaying national symbols and signing a declaration of neutrality.

The Norwegian decision followed a similar move by Finland, which earlier Thursday announced it would block visas for Russian athletes.