No visa
The International Military Sports Council (CISM) certainly requires inviting the 141 member nations to the competitions. What Bern did, Russia and Belarus included. On the other hand, it will not issue entry visas to athletes from these two countries. “Switzerland indicated through diplomatic channels to the Russian and Belarusian delegations that it had issued an invitation, but that entry into Swiss territory would not be granted,” communicates Stefan Hofer, head of media relations for the army.
Certain countries, which had boycotted other international military competitions due to the presence of Russian athletes, should therefore go to Switzerland. This could be the case for Poland and the Czech Republic.
All participants will find themselves distributed between different sites. Lucerne will act as main host, while the region of Goms (VS) or Engelberg (OW) will host events.
Swiss and Russians rubbed shoulders
By de facto excluding the Russian and Belarusian soldiers, the army largely avoids criticism. However, it has not completely distanced itself since the start of the war in Ukraine, as shown in the NZZ citing some examples reported by Stefan Hofer. Recently, soldiers took part in the Sarajevo Half Marathon along with competitors from around the world, including Russia. And last year, Switzerland went to three championships where Russian competitors were also present: judo in Santo Domingo, shooting in Rio de Janeiro and wrestling in Baku.
A precise line was defined by army chief Thomas Süssli. Swiss delegations can participate in competitions including Russian soldiers, provided they do not take place in Russia or Belarus. Sport takes precedence over politics. In this, Bern follows the practice of the International Military Sports Council (CISM). The majority of member states are in fact opposed to the general exclusion of nations hit by international sanctions.
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