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In Russia, which is very fond of this sport, there were different opinions about the IIHF’s decision, and among the people who expressed their position to the media in this country was also the Lithuanian Darius Kasparaitis, who lives in the United States.
“Everything is correct. A political war is being waged there. He did not do it to punish Lukashenko, but for security reasons. We all see what happens there. What kind of world championship can there be in a country where such a mess prevails? ”, Quote the Sport-Express portal to D. Kasparaitis.
“And when it comes to views that ordinary people will suffer, not politicians … People will continue to suffer from politics. How can Americans come to Belarus, where a political war is being fought? The safety of the players hockey and tourists is also an important factor. What other Belarus can we talk about? It would be exactly the same here if the World Cup were held in Chechnya, when all the mess took place there, “said a veteran league player NHL.
Belarus had to organize the World Championship together with Latvia. It is not yet clear whether the priorities will be left to the Latvians alone; the IIHF has yet to make a final decision.
According to D. Kasparaitis, the championship could be held in Russia. “There is that possibility, it would be the most optimal option,” said the Lithuanian.
Kasparaitis, who has played for NHL teams for many years, is a fairly frequent Russian media interlocutor. The Lithuanian is remembered for his successful play for the Russia-based United Team (former Soviet Union team), with whom he became Olympic champion in 1992. He later won Olympic silver (1998) and bronze (2002 ) in the Russian national team.
Several years after these events, D. Kasparaitis also wore the clothes of the Lithuanian team. In 2018, the legendary defender helped the Lithuanians win group BI division gold medals in Kaunas.
In Chechnya, mentioned by D. Kasparaitis, a brutal war between local fighters and the Russian army took place in 1994-1996, the second military conflict there broke out in 1999 and lasted almost a decade.
The victory of time
Sviatlana Cichanouskaja
We remind you that the World Cup should take place in May. As stated by the IIHF, the decision to deprive Minsk of the right to host the tournament was made for security reasons: the IIHF council ruled that it could not guarantee the well-being and safe movement of players, referees, spectators and the media. in the Belarusian capital due to rising political tensions and COVID. 19 situations.
The Latvians are determined to organize the championship alone, but the IIHF has yet to confirm it. The tournament can also be visited in Denmark or Slovakia.
However, we recall that if the championships had been held in Minsk, they would have lost important sponsors: the car manufacturer Škoda and the personal care company Nivea threatened to refuse to support the championship if it was actually held in Belarus.
The companies claimed that the tournament was not possible due to violations of human rights and freedoms in the country.
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Cichanouskaya said the Belarusians had done their thing and called the Minsk World Cup transfer a victory for the country’s citizens.
“This is a victory, because there will be no more wave of repression ‘cleaning up’ the city before the World Cup. It is a victory because Lukashenko has not been able to give the impression of being in control of everything. It is a victory because the Belarusians have achieved their thing. and they have done it together, “said the statement from the Belarusian opposition leader, which was announced on his official Telegram channel on Monday.
S. Cichanouskaja pointed out that this is also a victory for the Belarusian swimmer Aliaksandra Herasimenia and the Sports Solidarity Fund founded by her.
“It is a victory for the Belarusian diaspora. The Belarusians went to picket the IIHF headquarters and the championship sponsors in various countries, helped foreign media to write about the events,” emphasized S. Cichanouskaja.
For the sixth month in a row, Belarus has been plagued by massive protests over the August 9 presidential election, which Lukashenko has ruled the country since 1994.
The opposition and western democracies claim the elections were rigged and the winner sees political fledgling S. Cichanouskaya, who replaced her imprisoned husband in the presidential race.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Lukashenko, the release of political prisoners and new elections.
Among the issues raised by the Belarusian opposition is the transfer of the Minsk Hockey World Championship.
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