Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (“New Unity”) has included 14 Russian athletes in the list of undesirable persons for Latvia, according to a statement by the minister published on the social network X.
Braže emphasizes that athletes from the aggressor state are not welcome in Latvia.
The entry ban to Latvia has been imposed indefinitely. The decision was made in accordance with the second part of Article 61 of the Immigration Law, which stipulates that in the case of recognizing a foreigner as an undesirable person for Latvia (“persona non grata”), the decision to include them in the relevant list is made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The advisor to the minister, Signe Znotiņa-Znota, explained to the LETA agency that this decision was made in the context of the upcoming international winter sports event planned in Latvia — at the beginning of January 2026.
The World Cup stage in luge is scheduled to take place in Sigulda on January 3 and 4, 2026.
Russian athletes have not participated in the World Cup luge competitions since January 2022. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) advocates that Russians be allowed to compete as neutral athletes at the upcoming Olympic Games.
At the end of October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that representatives of the Russian Luge Federation still cannot participate in competitions, but individual Russian athletes may be allowed to start as neutral athletes provided they meet the established criteria.
This possibility was ruled out today by Minister Baiba Braže. At least on the tracks of Latvia.
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