Key facts
- Finland's foreign ministry said the restriction covers Russians competing under neutral status as well as for national teams.
- Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said Russian athletes' entry would be a threat to Finland's international relations.
- The ISU said it believes athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments.
- The measure takes effect Monday and should not affect NHL games in Helsinki this week or ski World Cup slalom races in Levi on Saturday and Sunday.
- The figure skating world championships in March in Tampere, Finland, are expected to be affected.
Finland said on November 12 that it will restrict entry to the country for Russian athletes because of the war in Ukraine, a step the foreign ministry said would affect Russians competing under neutral status as well as those competing for national teams.
"As long as Russia's war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland," Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said. "Their entry into the country would be a threat to Finland's international relations." She said the same applied to other short-term work under visas not essential to Finland's national interests.
The move follows a backlash in Finland to Russia being reinstated for the ice hockey world championships. Finland is among a group of European teams to have vowed not to play against Russia at those championships, which are scheduled for Germany, where the host is weighing whether to go ahead.
The International Skating Union said it "has taken note of the statement today by the Finnish government" and was studying its implications for events including the figure skating world championships due to be held in Tampere, Finland. The ISU said it believes "athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments" and that it was seeking clarifications from skating officials in Finland.
Finland hosts a figure skating grand prix next week and a cross-country ski World Cup this month, both sports in which Russians compete as neutral athletes. The change takes effect Monday, so it should not affect this week's NHL games in Helsinki between the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes or the ski World Cup slalom races in Levi on Saturday and Sunday. Russian skaters are expected to be among the top medal contenders at the March world championships.
In the longer term, Finland is due to host the European track and field championships in 2030. World Athletics maintains a blanket ban on Russian participation, though that is facing a legal challenge.