Estonia bans Russian and Belarusian athletes from its territory

Estonia has announced that it will refuse entry to Russian and Belarusian athletes, citing concerns that allowing them to compete would undermine support for Ukraine and serve as propaganda. The decision follows similar moves by Norway, Finland, and Canada, as a broader backlash builds against the recent relaxation of rules by international sports federations. International sports bodies have increasingly moved toward reinstating neutral competitors under strict conditions, such as signing declarations of neutrality and banning national symbols. However, host countries maintain the authority to determine their own visa and entry policies, leading to regional blocks that threaten to disrupt upcoming global sporting events.