CALGARY. Russia’s war of conquest in Ukraine has been going on for more than a year and a half. Most Russian athletes face isolation at the international level across sports because of it.
Exceptions are, for example, tennis players and fencers, and the war did not in any way affect the activity of Russian hockey players in the overseas NHL.
The players do not comment on the subject of the attack on Ukraine. However, journalists examined several Russian stars and revealed which of them had and have connections with Vladimir Putin or are supporters of his policies.
Behind the scenes, the Russians argued among themselves whether to issue a joint statement. However, they did not find one that represented everyone.
At least one of them spoke out against the war – Calgary Flames defender Nikita Zadorov.
Did Ovechkin lead the propagandists?
In an interview with journalist Jurij Duď, he revealed that at the beginning of the invasion, the Russian hockey players created a group chat on the Telegram social network. Its initiator was Florida Panthers goalkeeper Sergej Bobrovsky.
VIDEO: Nikita Zadorov’s interview with Yuri Duď
“He brought us together and said, ‘Guys, we have to stick together.’ It’s a difficult situation and we have to decide what to do,” Zadorov recalls.
“We started to propose different options. Someone, probably me, had the idea to write a statement for all Russian players from the NHL.”
Zadorov was aware of the risk of expulsion. He did not know how they would be viewed after the outbreak of war, whether they would cancel their visas and work permits in North America, so he wanted to explain that he was not on the side of the aggressor.
However, he was unpleasantly surprised by the opinions of others. Not everyone was on his side, and the Russians split into two camps.
“On one side were the propagandists who wanted to talk about the last eight years, and on the other, I think, the more sensible part of us,” he explains.
2023-09-22 07:54:05
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