German Interior Ministry warns of visa denial to Russian athletes

This was announced by German Interior Minister Nancy Feather, ntv reported.

Feather said she would ban Russian athletes from entering the country if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allows them to compete.

Countries that host major sporting events are not powerless. They can control whether or not Russians can participate by issuing visas. If we organise international competitions in Germany, we can act accordingly. Here we will always act with a clear position.

It is worth recalling that the IOC Executive Committee at its meeting on 28 March adopted a recommendation for the international sports federations to return the Russian and Belarusian athletes, but set some conditions.

For example, athletes with Russian or Belarusian passports will be able to compete as neutral individual athletes.

Also, athletes and staff who actively support the war cannot compete. This includes anyone representing the Russian army or other state security institutions, as well as those who have publicly supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine.