The Swedish government has sent a letter to the European Commission calling for stricter visa rules for Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in international sporting events in Europe.
Source: Swedish newspaper Expressen
Details: The initiative is linked to the upcoming FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Falun, Sweden.
Sweden has asked the European Commission to draft EU-wide legislation allowing visa applications to be rejected on the grounds of nationality. Until the legislation is adopted, the government proposes stricter common guidelines for processing visa applications.
Sweden also stresses that athletes should not be able to obtain a visa in another EU member state and utilise freedom of movement to enter Sweden.
Expressen reported that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has permitted 45 Russians to compete under a "neutral" status in adult, youth and junior events during the upcoming season. The World Championships in Falun are scheduled to begin in late February 2027.
Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell said that Russia's war against Ukraine continues even as Russian athletes prepare for competitions. Sports Minister Jakob Forssmed noted that the Swedish Ski Association does not want to see Russian athletes on the starting line at the championships.
Background: In 2025, the FIS allowed Russian skiers to participate in international competitions under a "neutral" status. Ahead of the start of the 2026-2027 season, the requirements for obtaining "neutral" status were significantly relaxed, resulting in the clearance of individuals who had been seen directly supporting the military aggression against Ukraine. Among them is ski jumper Yevgeniy Klimov, who attended the notorious rally at Luzhniki in March 2022.
Subscribe onPatreonto back our journalism long-term.