German Minister Threatens Entry Ban For Russian Athletes

Athletes from Russia face being denied entry into Germany if they are allowed to participate in international sporting events again, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has said. Faeser told newspapers of the Funke publishing house that according visa regulations would be enforced. "Countries where major sporting events take place are not powerless. They can control via the issuing of visas whether Russians can actually participate," Faeser said. Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from most international sports events since the beginning of last year's Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has now recommended readmitting them, under strict conditions and as neutral athletes.