Olympic champion Svetlana Zhurova expressed the opinion that Russia could be granted the right to host the World Hockey Championship in an interview with "Match TV". This statement came amid discussions about Germany's position, which will host the tournament in 2027.
Zhurova's Comments on Hosting the World Championship in Russia
Zhurova, who is a member of the State Duma, noted that organizing the championship in Russia would be an easy task. She emphasized that, despite potential difficulties related to boycotts from other countries, hosting the event in an aggressor country seemed quite realistic.
Germany's Position and Reaction to Zhurova's Statement
Germany, as the host country for the 2027 championship, has a clear stance regarding Russia's participation in international sports events. Zhurova acknowledged that if the championship were to be moved to Russia, the country might face boycotts from other national teams unwilling to compete with aggressors.
Conclusions and Consequences
Zhurova's statement has sparked mixed reactions in the sports community. Many experts believe that hosting international competitions in Russia amid aggression against Ukraine is unacceptable. This issue remains relevant in the context of international sports sanctions and political relations.