Finland announced on Thursday that it would restrict visas for Russian athletes (Image credit: X) Finland and Norway have announced fresh restrictions on Russian athletes, making it difficult for them to compete in the two Nordic countries as the war in Ukraine continues.Finland announced on Thursday that it would restrict visas for Russian athletes, saying they had "no business" in the country as long as the war continued.

Hours later, Norway said it would stop professional Russian and Belarusian sportspersons from competing on its soil.

Watch ‘This medal means a lot’: Lovlina Borgohain on Asian Games gold & Olympic ambitions The decisions could affect major international sporting events scheduled in both countries.Finland says Russian athletes have 'no business' in country Finland has tightened rules for Russian citizens applying for short-term work visas, including those seeking to take part in professional sports.Under the new rules, "Russian citizens will only be allowed to work under a Schengen visa in tasks that are essential to Finland's national interests," the Finnish foreign ministry said in a statement.The restrictions will also apply to Russian athletes competing under a neutral flag.

They will not be allowed to obtain visas to enter Finland."As long as Russia's war of aggression continues, Russian athletes have no business in Finland," Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said in a statement."Their entry into the country would be a threat to Finland's international relations."The new rules will come into effect on November 16.

Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia.

The country is scheduled to host the Figure Skating World Championships in Tampere in March 2027.

The International Skating Union (ISU) said it was "studying" the possible impact of Finland's decision."The aim of the change is to prevent entries that Russia could use to spread messages supporting its war," Valtonen told reporters.Russia uses "sports as a tool for propaganda", she added.Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga welcomed Finland's move.

In a post on X, he urged other European countries to "close the remaining loopholes, and strengthen coordinated pressure on Russia,".Norway also blocks Russian and Belarusian athletes Norway announced its decision a few hours after Finland.

Its government said the country already had strict visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens.However, recent "relaxations introduced by international sports federations" could allow more athletes and support staff from the two countries to travel to Norway for competitions.The new decision could prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing even if they have been cleared by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).Norway is preparing to host the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup in Trondheim in December.ISU questions Finland's decision The ISU said it believed athletes should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments.

It said "that athletes should not be punished for the actions of the governments in a world where, sadly, many conflicts are ongoing".The governing body added that it was seeking "further clarifications" from the Finnish organisers.CAS ruling brings Russian ice hockey team back into focus Finland's decision comes after a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on October 30 opened the possibility of the Russian ice hockey team returning to the World Championships next year.

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), which has banned Russia from competitions since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, had opposed the CAS decision.Several countries, including Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Czech Republic, have said they would refuse to play against Russia at the World Championships in Germany.Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also said last week that Russia would not be allowed to compete at the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships in Alberta.

The Finnish city of Turku has announced that it will withdraw from hosting the 2027-28 edition of the tournament if Russia takes part.Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin last week praised the International Olympic Committee and CAS for "taking decisions to uphold the Olympic Charter and its principles".

He also criticised countries that are opposing Russia's return to international sport.