WASHINGTON, October 15. /TASS/. US Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli has outlined potential steps Moscow and Washington could take toward sports cooperation in an interview with TASS.
"I would like to see an American-Russian football match. National teams if the circumstances allow it. If that cannot happen immediately, then explore a legends match or another exhibition format. Bring young players around it. Bring coaches together. Give children in both countries the opportunity to meet athletes they admire," the diplomat said.
He described his meeting with Russian Minister of Sport Mikhail Degtyarev, which took place on September 1 in Bishkek, as constructive.
"I had a constructive and direct conversation with Minister Degtyaryov. We discussed sport, Los Angeles 2028 (plans of hosting the 2028 Olympics - TASS) and the potential for sporting engagement between Americans and Russians. I came away believing there is an opportunity here,"Zampolli said.
According to Zampolli, "the United States and Russia have produced some of the greatest athletes in history."
"And I think we sometimes forget what an extraordinary achievement that is. An elite athlete can spend ten, fifteen or twenty years preparing for moments that may last only seconds or minutes. President Trump has always believed in celebrating excellence and winners. Sport is one of the purest places where you can see what excellence requires. And great athletes understand something else. You can desperately want to defeat your opponent and still respect him. That lesson is valuable far beyond sport. That is why I believe we should think bigger," the diplomat stressed.
The full text of the interview is available on the TASS website: https://tass.com/world/2202537.