The president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Rene Fasel, has defended his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, saying his organization "came in with specific requirements that the government should fulfill in order that [this year's] World Championship can take place in Minsk." … [Read more...] about Ice Hockey: Belarus must meet ‘specific requirements’ to host World Championship
Belarus
Skoda Auto says will not sponsor ice hockey world cup in Belarus
PRAGUE: Volkswagen's Skoda Auto will not sponsor this year's ice hockey world championship if the event is held in Belarus, due to the host country's recent human rights record, the carmaker said on Saturday.Belarus, which is due to host the tournament in May-June, is facing calls for it to be stripped of the event because of President Alexander Lukashenko's crackdown on protesters opposing his re-election."We've been a proud partner for 28 years. But we also respect & promote all human rights," the carmaker said on Twitter."Therefore, SKODA will withdraw from sponsoring the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship if Belarus is confirmed to be co-hosting the event," Skoda said.Denying Belarus the right to host the event would deprive Lukashenko, an avid hockey fan and player, of staging a major international event in Belarus for the first time since his disputed re-election last August. His opponents say the vote was rigged. … [Read more...] about Skoda Auto says will not sponsor ice hockey world cup in Belarus
World men’s ice hockey championship moved out of Belarus
The Danish city of Herning, which hosted part of the 2018 championship, is a possible replacement for Minsk, Fasel said before the decision to move from Belarus, and there have been initial talks with 2019 host nation Slovakia. Latvia could also host on its own, he added. … [Read more...] about World men’s ice hockey championship moved out of Belarus
Ice Hockey World Championship: Belarus loses host role
What is the situation in Belarus? Belarus has experienced political unrest since the controversial re-election of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in August. The opposition refuse to recognize the result. Authorities cracked down hard on largely peaceful demonstrations that followed. The European Union imposed sanctions on Lukashenko for the reaction to the protests. … [Read more...] about Ice Hockey World Championship: Belarus loses host role
Opinion: IIHF gets Belarus decision right, perhaps a bit late
This seemed to contradict his argument of trying to "build bridges" – or perhaps last week's meeting simply convinced him that this was nothing but a pipe dream. But it also has the tone of the old argument that sports and politics don't mix – an all too convenient one whenever an international sports federation decides to do business with a dictatorship. Intense lobbying, including from Germany's foreign minister, apparently wasn't enough to force the IIHF's hand. … [Read more...] about Opinion: IIHF gets Belarus decision right, perhaps a bit late
Opinion: Ice Hockey Federation gets Belarus decision right, perhaps a bit late
Since then, the human rights situation in Belarus has deteriorated even further. For the 2014 World Championship was long before Lukashenko "won" the country's presidential election by a landslide last August — an election the opposition claims was rigged. Opponents of the hockey-playing president have taken to the streets in mainly peaceful protest, sparking a violent crackdown by police and resulting in injuries to many activists — including athletes — with many of them landing in prison. … [Read more...] about Opinion: Ice Hockey Federation gets Belarus decision right, perhaps a bit late
Belarus’ Exiled Leader on Protests and the End to Lukashenko’s Putin-Backed Dictatorship
Russia is facing financial hardships of its own, but the Kremlin wants to keep Belarus close. On Thursday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told Lukashenko to press ahead with constitutional reforms. On Friday, Lukashenko hinted he may be prepared to leave power and that after constitutional changes he would "not be president" but gave no time scale. … [Read more...] about Belarus’ Exiled Leader on Protests and the End to Lukashenko’s Putin-Backed Dictatorship
Belarus reports 1,967 new COVID-19 cases, total reaches 219,663
As of Thursday, 4,191,207 tests for the virus have been conducted across the country, including 24,668 over the past 24 hours, according to official figures. Enditem … [Read more...] about Belarus reports 1,967 new COVID-19 cases, total reaches 219,663
Belarus reports 1,941 new COVID-19 cases, total reaches 221,604
As of Friday, 4,216,095 tests for the virus have been conducted across the country, including 24,888 over the past 24 hours, according to official figures. Enditem … [Read more...] about Belarus reports 1,941 new COVID-19 cases, total reaches 221,604
Belarus reports 1,933 new COVID-19 cases, total reaches 223,537
As of Saturday, 4,238,864 tests for the virus have been conducted across the country, including 22,769 over the past 24 hours, according to official figures. Enditem … [Read more...] about Belarus reports 1,933 new COVID-19 cases, total reaches 223,537