Norway government don announce say dem go block Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and dia support staff from entering di country to compete, and di restriction go stay as long as war for Ukraine continue.
Di decision come hours after neighbouring Finland announce similar move on Thursday. Finland talk say e go block visas for Russian athletes.
Norway Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen talk say: “Norway already has a restrictive visa practice for Russian and Belarusian citizens, but is now further tightening who is allowed to travel here.”
Di government explain say Norway already get strict visa rules for Russian and Belarusian citizens, but recent relaxations by international sports federations mean say more athletes and support staff from di two countries fit come Norway to compete. To handle am, authorities go instruct immigration officials and police to refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and di people wey dey accompany dem if dem come Norway for sporting competitions. Di changes go start soon.
Norway talk say Russian elite sport get close ties to Russian authorities, so dem no fit look am separate from di war for Ukraine.
Di move dey come as Norway prepare to host World Cup in cross-country skiing for December for Trondheim. E mean say Russian and Belarusian athletes fit still get blocked even though International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) don clear dem to compete. FIS allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under some conditions, including say dem no go display any country symbols and dem go sign declaration of neutrality.
