Belarusian athletes may be refused Swedish visas for Falun ski championships

Sweden is looking into whether it can refuse visas to athletes from Russia and Belarus who want to compete in international events held in the country. The move could block competitors whom international sports federations have already cleared to take part.

Key facts

• Sweden is assessing the legal grounds for denying visas to Russian and Belarusian athletes
• Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell confirmed the review
• The Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun are scheduled for February and March next year
• The International Ski and Snowboard Federation has granted neutral status to several Russian athletes
• No decision, start date or application details have been announced

What is being considered?

Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell told Reuters that the government is examining the legal grounds for denying visas to athletes from Russia and Belarus. He said Swedish authorities strongly criticise allowing representatives of these countries to take part in international competitions.

Forssell said the government backs the stance of the Swedish Ski Association and the Swedish Sports Confederation, which oppose athletes from Russia and Belarus competing in Sweden. In his view, admitting them could help normalise Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Who could be affected?

The restrictions may affect participants in the Nordic World Ski Championships, due to be held in the Swedish city of Falun in February and March next year. The tournament takes place every two years and covers cross-country skiing, ski jumping and Nordic combined.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation has granted neutral status to several Russian athletes, allowing them to compete in its tournaments. The federation did not provide Reuters with an immediate comment on the possible visa restrictions.

What are sports bodies saying?

The Swedish Sports Confederation said it is in dialogue with the government about visa rules for Russian citizens. The Swedish Ski Association said that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine it has maintained that Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be admitted to international competitions while the war continues.

Association Secretary General Pernilla Bonde stressed that decisions on visas and entry into the country are made by state authorities. She added that the association will comply with the decisions and rules of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.

What this means for travellers

Nothing has changed yet: the Swedish government is still reviewing the legal grounds and has not announced a decision. Russian and Belarusian athletes planning to compete in Sweden should watch for an announcement before making travel arrangements for events such as the Falun championships.

No timeline for a decision has been given. The next step is the outcome of the government's legal review.