Sports great Hašek demands legislation to block Russian athletes
There has been a broadly critical response in Europe to a decision by a top sports court to overturn a ban on Russia in international ice hockey competitions. Here in Czechia, ex-player Dominik Hašek has demanded legislation to block events featuring Russians – and come out strongly against states withdrawing from hosting international championships over the situation.
On Friday the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a ban on Russian participation in competitions imposed by the International Ice Hockey Federation in connection with Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
The Czech minister of sport, Boris Šťastný, immediately sent a letter to the head of the court, expressing opposition to Russia competing on the international stage while the war continues.
“And if it proved unavoidable, this could only happen under a neutral flag, and without the Russian Federation’s national anthem or state symbols,” Mr. Šťastný said.
Retired goaltender Dominik Hašek is one of the all-time greats of Czech hockey. “The Dominator” has long been a vocal critic of Russia’s war on Ukraine – and says there are no circumstances under which the country is acceptable in international sport.
“It doesn’t matter whether they’re wearing a Russian jersey or not. OK, if there are no jerseys or national anthem, the effect is less. But every Russian citizen is a representative of their country. And if Russian athletes take part in a competition it automatically becomes massive promotion for Russia’s war. Because of that competition, people are being killed and maimed, and the war is escalating.”
One possibility floated by some is individual states denying visas to Russian players. Hašek says this is no solution. Instead, he calls forcefully for politicians to enact relevant laws.
“It’s about time they finally woke up. It’s about time members of the European Parliament and MPs in individual countries, including the Czech Republic, started taking action. They need to stop sticking their heads in the sand and finally enact legislation that bars Russian citizens from making public appearances in our countries.”
This matter is particularly acute for the Czech Republic, which is due to host the women’s under 18 World Championships in just two months’ time.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Germany may withdraw from hosting the senior men’s “worlds” next year over the situation.
Dominik Hašek is strongly opposed to this idea, which he regards as cowardice. Legal steps, he says, are the only solution.
“We must not allow the World Championships in Germany next May, or the Women’s Junior World Championships here in January, to become a platform for promoting war. Let me repeat: this is a matter for the legislators of the Czech Republic and of Germany, and the members of the European Parliament. They set the rules, they set the standards, and they must act right now. Not tomorrow, not the day after tomorrow, but today.”
