Belarus ready to host Ice Hockey World Championship at any time

11 января 2021
Sports and politics were discussed today at the meeting between the President and the head of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

A. Lukashenko met with the head of the International Ice Hockey Federation


Rene Fazel has been the head of this structure since 1994 and is well known in the sports world. The communication took place in the Palace of Independence in a friendly atmosphere. The conversation began with a discussion of the most urgent topic in the current realities - the fight against the pandemic. Both Alexander Lukashenko and Rene Fasel have already had a coronavirus.

"As the President of the Federation and a personal friend of Belarus, I want to assure you that there is and will not be any danger on any issues related to coronavirus and political security or physical safety of people who live or come here, - stressed Alexander Lukashenko - Our protesters do not storm government offices and capitols, we have a completely normal situation in terms of the development of democratic processes. And this is the main reason for the dissatisfaction of certain politicians in Europe with Belarus. They want to accuse me of defending my country and people, but I have been chosen for this. I am obliged to ensure the public, internal, and external security of people and the state. Мay be someone does not like my actions in this regard, but this is their preference."

The meeting with the international sports functionary on the presidential schedule did not surprise anyone. After all, Belarus, together with Latvia, received the right to host the Ice Hockey World Championship this year. Its start is scheduled for late May. There have been more and more insinuations around the upcoming championship. It is given political pressure. Forces, both within the country and abroad, are trying to interfere with the holding of the forum. Everyone knows that the official Minsk is extremely responsible for holding global forums. International events are always organized at our best! And also, there is a good infrastructure, due to the solid experience of holding sports championships.

Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus: "I treat all the activities around the World Championship in Belarus very calmly. We will hold the World Championship in Belarus, and it will be the best World Championship in history. I think you are convinced of this. If the International Ice Hockey Federation does not cope with the pressure of certain political circles of individual countries, then there will be no World Championship in Belarus. It all depends on you now."

R. Fasel: We don't want to mix sports and politics

Rene Fasel, President of the International Ice Hockey Federation: "We are very pleased to be present today to discuss this situation. It is a little different from what it was in 2014. You remember that there was pressure in 2014, but we came and organized together a wonderful championship. The situation has changed a little. We have a clear position: we do not want to mix sports and politics. And sport should unite peoples, not separate them."

Both our President and the guest were unanimous that sport should be a unifying force. And it should be outside of politics. The Belarusian side adheres to this position.

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