Estonia Bars Russian and Belarusian Athletes From Entering the Country
Tallinn has told the International Ski and Snowboard Federation that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be refused entry ahead of major winter competitions Estonia is set to host.
By Vanessa Lopez ·
Estonia's Culture Ministry has informed the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) that Russian and Belarusian athletes are barred from entering the country because of Russia's war against Ukraine, public broadcaster ERR reported, citing a letter from the ministry.
In the letter, the ministry said Estonia had condemned Moscow's invasion from the very beginning. 'Estonia condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine immediately, and since the start of the war, the Estonian government, the Ministry of Culture and the Estonian Olympic Committee have agreed that Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams should not be taking part in international sports competitions until the war in Ukraine has ended,' the letter stated.
The ministry also warned that representatives of the aggressor states could use appearances at international competitions as a propaganda tool aimed at audiences abroad.
'The Estonian government takes the position that competitions involving Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot take place in Estonia,' the letter said. 'As Estonia has been at the forefront of providing assistance and support to Ukraine, allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete here would contradict that position and give Russia and Belarus an opportunity to use international media coverage for propaganda purposes.'
The Culture Ministry noted that Russian athletes have been barred from competing in Estonia under national legislation since August 2022. On 10 March 2022, the Estonian government stopped issuing tourist visas to Russian and Belarusian citizens. Since 18 August 2022, Russian citizens holding tourist visas issued by Estonia, including those issued for participation in sporting competitions or cultural events, have been barred from entering the country.
The stance carries direct sporting consequences for the coming season. This winter, Estonia will host the Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships in Otepää and the Biathlon World Championships at Tehvandi.
The letter follows a September decision by FIS to ease restrictions on athletes competing as neutrals, though the federation said it is not responsible for countries refusing entry to those athletes. Russian five-time Olympic medallist Denis Spitsov has been cleared to compete under the relaxed rules. Norway and Finland have also recently barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from entering.
Alongside the entry ban, the ministry urged other organisers of international sporting competitions to take a clear position on the war. 'The Culture Ministry calls on all event organisers to demonstrate their full support for Ukraine and condemn Russia's war of aggression,' the letter said.
