Boxer Mykola Valuyev expressed his outrage regarding the statements of hockey player Dominik Hasek. The latter criticized the National Hockey League for limiting freedom of speech for Russian athletes in connection with the conflict in Ukraine.
«Another statement from Hasek? You can't take this man seriously. Why should we care about what this madman says? Let him set himself on fire, his statements won't bother or distract adequate people,» Valuyev commented.
Dominik Hasek is known for his negative attitude towards the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in international competitions after the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine. He is a renowned Olympic champion and Stanley Cup holder.
At the same time, freestyle skier Anastasia Tatalina appealed to the FIS asking to allow her to compete in the 2026 Olympics. She is a member of the CSKA military club, which is connected to Russia's involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and supports the slogan «we do not abandon our own».
In the world of sports, a dispute has arisen among well-known athletes regarding their positions in the context of geopolitical events that critically divide the community not only in Ukraine but also beyond its borders.