Europe’s Russian Athlete Rules Diverge

Countries and sports bodies are taking different approaches to Russian athletes’ return to competition amid the war in Ukraine. The Czech government says it will not ban national teams from competing against Russia, leaving decisions to sports associations, while Norway says it will expel Russian and Belarusian professional athletes and support staff who enter for sporting events. The International Luge Federation has extended restrictions but may allow vetted Russian athletes to compete in singles as individual neutral athletes, excluding them from team events. Latvia, however, says Russian lugers will be barred from the World Cup event in Sigulda even if granted neutral status, citing national law and entry bans on many team members.