Cabinet considers visa blocks for Russian athletes

The Dutch cabinet is considering blocking visas for Russian athletes competing at international sporting events, including the 2030 winter games in Heerenveen, sports minister Mirjam Sterk stated. She revealed the government is pushing the International Olympic Committee to reverse its recent decision to allow Russian athletes to return, which was made this summer ahead of the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles.

Russia was barred from sports in 2023 following its annexation of Ukrainian territories. The cabinet's stance could affect the 2030 winter games at Thialf in Heerenveen, the first Olympic competition in the Netherlands since 1928. Sterk expressed concern about visa complications if Russian skaters qualified for the event, stating that the cabinet views participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams under their own national symbols as undesirable.

The issue extends to all levels of competition, including individual athletes, national teams, and club teams from both countries. The Netherlands, along with other EU countries, has called on the European Commission to cut IOC and other federations funding for readmitting Russia. Sterk emphasized that the primary responsibility lies with sports federations, but the Netherlands is directly addressing them on the matter.

Some politicians, like D66 MP Hanneke van der Werf, argue the message should be communicated more forcefully.