The decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation not to hold the World Championship in 2021 in Minsk is another example of shameless politicization of sports, as a result, fans, athletes, and sports will lose out, Elena Panina, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, told RIA Novosti.
Minsk will not host the World Championship in 2021, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) reported earlier.
According to Panina, this decision, largely caused by the stance of championship sponsors such as Nivea and Skoda, is another episode of the collective West’s interference in the affairs of Belarus.
“If Russia is being punished for mythical“ doping crimes ”, then an even cruder tactic has been chosen against Belarus. Of course, this is a painful blow for a country that was proud of its sporting successes, where much has been done to revive mass sports. an example of shameless politicization of sports. The fact that in the end the fans, athletes, big sports will be the losers is obvious, “Panina stated.