Oslo Anne Lindboe has urged the Norwegian government to deny visas to Russian and Belarusian skiers before upcoming World Cup events in Holmenkollen. Russian sports officials swiftly condemned the move as tensions rise across the Nordic skiing circuit.
Nearly 200 athletes from Russia and Belarus have already cleared vetting to compete as neutrals. This follows a decision by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) to ease its neutral-status requirements. More approvals are expected before the season begins in late November.
Local leaders and political parties across Norway are pressing national authorities to block entry, even as international sports bodies clear qualified competitors. Parties including Venstre have joined the call for a total ban on the nation’s soil.
Moscow Officials Condemn Visa Restrictions
The political maneuvering in Oslo triggered sharp pushback from Russian sports leadership and diplomatic channels.
Selv om det er en fantastisk og nydelig by, tenker jeg nok de har rikelig med egne indre problemer å ordne opp i, i stedet for å blande seg inn i politikk – for ikke å snakke om forsøkene på å diktere idrettens retningslinjer.
The Russian Embassy in Oslo weighed in through Ria Novosti. It labeled the mayor’s visa restrictions obviously discriminatory. The embassy questioned whether Norway can guarantee fair and non-discriminatory conditions for all approved competitors.
Russian sports official Jelena Välbe responded to the call for visa bans. She stated that such utterances are regrettable.
Nordic Neighbors Clash Over FIS Rules
Swedish authorities face similar pressure from their national ski association to keep Russian competitors out of the upcoming World Championships in Falun. Norway is not alone in this struggle.
Swedish Migration Johan Forssell pointed to the ongoing conflict during a push for tightened European Union visa rules. Swedish sports officials and government ministers are looking for legal ways to halt participation before the Falun events open.
Culture Lubna Jaffery confirmed that the department is maintaining a close dialogue with the Norwegian Confederation of Sports regarding how to handle the winter competitions.
This is a topic being addressed continuously in the other Nordic states, and we will maintain an ongoing dialogue with our neighboring countries regarding this matter.
Vetting Process Faces Ukrainian Criticism
The Russian federation named Aleksandr Bolsjunov to its initial World Cup squad for events in Ruka, Finland, and Trondheim, Norway. His eligibility remains blocked because he has expressed support for a warring regime.
Other figures have secured neutral status and preparation clearance, including Savelij Korostelev and Natalija Terentjeva. The vetting process itself faces severe criticism from outside sports bodies.
Julia Siparenko, secretary general of the Ukrainian Ski Federation, criticized the current background checks. Siparenko specifically highlighted instances where athletes cleared by FIS had previously appeared at state-backed rallies in Moscow.
The cross-country World Cup opener is scheduled to start in Ruka on November 27. Domestic competitions follow quickly on Norwegian snow. The standoff between international sports federations, local municipal leaders, and national governments leaves the exact entry status of these athletes unresolved.