{
  "id": 19688176,
  "title": "Finland to restrict entry for Russian athletes participating in international competitions – Bidny",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/finland-to-restrict-entry-for-russian-athletes-participating-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-12T18:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Interfax-Ukraine",
    "slug": "interfax-ukraine",
    "url": "https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/sport/1235725.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidny announced that Finland will restrict entry for Russian athletes competing in international events, even those representing neutral nations. Bidny expressed gratitude for this decision, made during a recent meeting with Finnish Sports Minister Mika Poutala, during a Facebook post on Thursday. The minister highlighted the decision's importance as Finland prepares to host the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup in late November.\n\nBidny emphasized that these restrictions should be part of a coordinated European policy and plans to raise the issue in a meeting of EU sports ministers in Brussels. He also called for barring Russian and Belarusian athletes and their national symbols from competitions. Bidny expressed appreciation for the support from Finland, Poland, Estonia, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Canada, and other nations implementing similar restrictions.",
  "summary": "Finland will restrict entry for Russian athletes participating in international competitions, even those competing under neutral status, Ukraine's Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidny has said.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Finland to bar Russian athletes, including neutral competitors, from Nov. 16",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/finland-to-bar-russian-athletes-including-neutral-competitors-from",
        "published": "2026-11-12T16:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Meduza (English)",
        "title": "Days before major winter tournaments, Finland narrows a visa exception for Russian athletes, including those competing as neutrals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/days-before-major-winter-tournaments-finland-narrows-a-visa-exception",
        "published": "2026-11-12T17:12:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}