Polish consular officials have rejected visa applications from Russian ski jumpers Mikhail Nazarov and Daniil Sadreev, effectively barring them from the FIS World Cup event in Zakopane on 10–11 January. The Foreign Ministry said there were “no grounds for approval” under entry restrictions introduced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The decision follows the International Ski and Snowboard Federation’s move to grant the athletes neutral status, but Poland maintains a stricter line that excludes Russian citizens from sports events on its soil. Similar bans were applied by Latvia earlier in the season.
![Poland refuses visas for Russian ski jumpers ahead of Zakopane World Cup]()
While the story is sports-related, it highlights Poland’s uncompromising visa policy towards Russian nationals—a stance that mobility managers must consider when planning meetings, incentives or assignments involving Russian staff.
Event organisers now face re-scheduling jumps and ticket allocations, and the athletes will lose valuable ranking points needed for Olympic qualification. Corporate hospitality providers should inform guests of possible last-minute programme changes.
For global mobility teams, the episode reinforces that visa eligibility can override international federation permissions; always verify host-country entry rules even when athletes or employees hold “neutral” accreditation.
The decision follows the International Ski and Snowboard Federation’s move to grant the athletes neutral status, but Poland maintains a stricter line that excludes Russian citizens from sports events on its soil. Similar bans were applied by Latvia earlier in the season.
While the story is sports-related, it highlights Poland’s uncompromising visa policy towards Russian nationals—a stance that mobility managers must consider when planning meetings, incentives or assignments involving Russian staff.
Event organisers now face re-scheduling jumps and ticket allocations, and the athletes will lose valuable ranking points needed for Olympic qualification. Corporate hospitality providers should inform guests of possible last-minute programme changes.
For global mobility teams, the episode reinforces that visa eligibility can override international federation permissions; always verify host-country entry rules even when athletes or employees hold “neutral” accreditation.
Source: The New Voice of Ukraine
