Ukraine war: Estonia bars Russian, Belarusian athletes

Estonia has joined Norway, Finland, and Canada in imposing restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes participating in its sporting events, following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This move highlights growing opposition to the resumption of athletes from these countries in international competitions, as some governing bodies have recently relaxed restrictions.

According to BBC Sport, Estonia has written to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), expressing concerns about allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete on its territory, fearing it would undermine support for Ukraine and provide a platform for Russian propaganda. The development comes after the FIS relaxed its eligibility rules in September, allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes, provided they sign a statement of neutrality.

However, these athletes are barred from displaying national symbols, such as flags, anthems, or uniforms. The FIS remains committed to supporting neutral athletes despite the host country's visa and entry policies, which are determined solely by the country hosting the event.