Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah (CD), a Finnish member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has criticised the IOC's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to future Olympic Games. She described it as "very regrettable" from Finland's perspective.
Speaking to Yle, Essayah said the outcome had been widely anticipated following lengthy discussions with international sports federations, but that it remained disappointing.
She said one of the main reasons behind the decision was the inconsistent approach taken by different sports. While some federations continued to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes, others — including gymnastics, wrestling and swimming — had already allowed them to return to international competition.
"The situation in international sports was already very confusing overall," Essayah said.
Los Angeles may have influenced the decision
Essayah suggested preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics may also have played a role. Organisers of the Los Angeles Games have previously indicated they hoped Russian athletes would be able to compete.
The IOC had originally suspended the Russian Olympic Committee after it incorporated sports organisations from occupied regions of Ukraine. According to Essayah, that dispute has now been resolved.
Athletics remains opposed
Despite the IOC decision, World Athletics has said it will continue excluding Russian athletes from its competitions.
Essayah said athletics may continue to justify its position by citing the legacy of Russia's state-sponsored doping programme.
She also noted that participation in future events could still depend on host countries' visa policies.
"National visa rules take precedence. If a country does not issue visas to Russians, they cannot enter that country," said Essayah, who competed in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics, placing 4th in the women's 10 km walk in 1992.
The issue is further complicated by debate in the United States over visa restrictions. The Donald Trump administration has identified several countries whose citizens could face travel restrictions, raising questions about whether athletes from all nations will even be able to compete at the LA Olympics.