Czech women’s ice hockey players condemn foreign minister’s remarks

Czech women’s ice hockey players have rejected comments by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists), who described hockey as a men’s sport and referred to Russian female players as “mannish women” while discussing their possible participation in the Under-18 World Championship. National team captain Aneta Tejralová said the remarks showed a lack of appreciation for the hard work behind women’s sport. Assistant coach Ivo Mocek said the minister’s language was demeaning and inappropriate. Several leading Czech male NHL players, including Martin Nečas and Lukáš Dostál, also condemned the comments, stressing that ice hockey is a sport for everyone.