Norway Moves to Shut Out Russian and Belarusian Athletes Until Moscow Ends Its War in Ukraine

Norway plans to bar professional athletes from Russia and Belarus, along with their support personnel, from entering the country to participate in sporting competitions for as long as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.

This was announced by the Norwegian government on November 12.

The Ministry of Justice and Public Security will instruct the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration and the National Police Directorate to refuse entry to these individuals under Norway’s Immigration Act. The restrictions are expected to take effect shortly.

“Norway already has a restrictive visa policy for Russian and Belarusian citizens,” Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen stated, adding that the government would further tighten entry requirements.

The government cited close ties between Russian elite sports and state institutions, as well as Belarus’s role in supporting and facilitating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery emphasized that the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports has consistently opposed Russian and Belarusian participation in international competitions since the full-scale invasion.

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World

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Norway’s decision comes amid a gradual reversal of international sporting restrictions imposed on Russia and Belarus in 2022. The International Olympic Committee and several international sports federations have recently relaxed their rules, with some lifting restrictions entirely and others permitting athletes to compete under neutral status.

Norway’s move mirrors steps under consideration in neighboring Finland, where the government is preparing proposals to tighten entry rules for Russian citizens, including the option to deny entry to Russian professional athletes.

Finland has refused to issue tourist visas to Russians since the start of the full-scale invasion, and its leadership has described a total entry ban as a consistent next step.

On November 2, the city of Turku announced it might refuse to co-host the 2028 IIHF World Junior Championship if Russia’s national team were allowed to compete. Municipal officials confirmed the venue would not stage any matches involving Russian competitors while the war continued.

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