On Wednesday, Vladimir Putin addressed participants in the International Ice Hockey Federation Semi-Annual Congress, currently being held in St Petersburg.
In Russia, ice hockey is one of the most popular and beloved sports. this is a vibrant, spectacular, and simply beautiful game, and we have every right to take pride in our glorious traditions and achievements in ice hockey, and in our outstanding athletes. Russians are keeping a close eye on what is happening in the world of hockey, watch hockey games and play hockey themselves.
Last year, more than 620,000 people, and these are just official figures, played hockey in Russia, including 74,000 youngsters, who are learning to play this game in specialised schools and want to dedicate their lives to this sport.
The President thanked the International Ice Hockey Federation for the consistently constructive cooperation and trust. "time and again, when choosing host countries for various championships, you chose Russia. I would just like to reiterate that this holds special value and importance in the eyes of Russian society" Putin said.
Russia is looking forward to the World Junior Championships, which will take place at the end of 2022 in Novosibirsk and Omsk, as well as the 2023 Ice Hockey World Championships in St. Petersburg.
Vladimir Putin separately thanked IIHF President Rene Fasel for his enormous contribution to the development and popularization of ice hockey.
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