Paolo Zampolli, the US president's special envoy, spoke about the role of sports in bringing Washington and Moscow closer together, the possibility of the return of joint tournaments, and the importance of fair competition in improving relations between the two countries.
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Zamboli believes that sports are capable of opening channels of dialogue that have been closed by politics between the United States and Russia. In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Zamboli pointed to the possibility of organizing friendly matches between hockey and football stars in the two countries, stressing that President Donald Trump understands the role that sports can play in this context.
He considered hockey a natural starting point given the long history of competition and mutual respect between the two countries in this sport, but stressed that cooperation should not be limited to it, expressing his hope to arrange a friendly match between the American and Russian national football teams with the participation of FIFA and the relevant national federations.
He stressed that a single match would not resolve political disputes, but it could contribute to resuming dialogue, adding that sports competition does not mean hostility, and that sports are capable of uniting peoples.
Regarding the participation of Russian athletes in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Zamboli expressed optimism about the possibility of progress, while opposing turning the restrictions imposed on their participation into a permanent alternative to political negotiations.
He welcomed the return of the Russian flag and anthem to the Paralympic Games in Italy, noting that the United States should host a safe, fair, and open Olympic Games for all eligible athletes, in line with Trump’s vision of a leading U.S. role and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s approach to promoting practical cooperation based on clear rules.
The US envoy believed that the absence of prominent Russian athletes from major international tournaments, or limiting their participation to a small scale, deprives the competitions of an important part of their value, especially when the reasons for absence are not related to the personal conduct of the athletes.
He explained that this does not diminish the achievements of American athletes who win medals according to the established rules, but he stressed that the greatest victories are achieved by facing the strongest competitors, noting that Russian and American athletes have contributed over generations to developing each other's level, and that real competition generates respect whose value remains even outside the stadiums.
Regarding the possibility of the two countries presenting a model of fair sports cooperation in light of the increasing politicization of sports, Zamboli affirmed the ability of Washington and Moscow to engage in strong competition while maintaining equal cooperation. He proposed practical steps including establishing a joint channel for communication on sports issues, developing a plan for a series of friendly hockey matches, studying the possibility of holding a match between the two national football teams in cooperation with FIFA, in addition to resuming exchange programs between young athletes and coaches, supporting university competitions, using retired champions as goodwill ambassadors, and establishing clear and transparent mechanisms for the return of athletes who meet the participation requirements to international competitions.
He said that Trump believes in achieving peace through strength and making agreements that lead to tangible results, and that sports provide a practical opportunity to achieve this. He added that the two countries do not have to settle all their differences before athletes and fans meet, and that the opening whistle of a football match could be, sooner than some expect, the beginning of a new dialogue, and that a handshake after the match could pave the way for another diplomatic step.
Speaking about his meeting with Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, Zamboli described the talks as constructive and frank, explaining that the two sides discussed the future of sports, preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, and opportunities to enhance sports cooperation between Americans and Russians.
The US envoy expressed optimism about the possibility of progress in sports cooperation between the United States and Russia, noting that the two countries have produced some of the greatest athletes in history, and that champions may spend a decade or two preparing for crucial moments that last only seconds or minutes.
He noted that President Trump has always expressed his appreciation for exceptional skill and winning athletes, and believes that sports are one of the clearest areas that reveal the amount of effort and dedication required to reach the top, stressing that true champions strive with all their might to defeat the competitor while continuing to respect him, a lesson that goes beyond the stadiums to relations between countries.
Zamboli called for a match between American and Russian hockey legends, and reiterated his desire to see a football match between the United States and Russia, preferably with the participation of both national teams if circumstances allow.
If it is not possible to organize it at present, an exhibition match bringing together former stars of the game or an alternative sporting event could be considered, with the participation of young people and coaches, and giving children in both countries the opportunity to meet the athletes they admire.
Regarding a visit to Russia and holding talks with its officials, he confirmed his readiness to travel to Moscow if clear objectives and appropriate channels to support the visit were available, stressing that he does not want a formal visit for taking pictures, but rather seeks to find out if useful and tangible results can be achieved.
He said this approach is consistent with Trump's style of dealing with international issues; he is ready for dialogue and negotiation, but ultimately focuses on results.
He noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio adopts an approach that focuses on clear American interests while being prepared for serious cooperation when there is an opportunity for real progress.
He called for exploring the potential for US-Russian cooperation in football and hockey, and expanding existing experiments in wrestling, which would open the door to more joint sporting encounters.
He stressed the importance of organizing an event that brings together hockey legends from both countries, along with involving young players, developing coach training programs, exchanging youth delegations, and enhancing communication between educational and sports institutions.
Zamboli cited Russian hockey star Alexander Ovechkin as a clear example of the ability of sport to build strong ties between peoples, explaining that he arrived in Washington and was able to win the admiration of millions of Americans thanks to his achievements, toughness and determination, and that American athletes in turn have received similar respect abroad.
He added that the public reacts to exceptional skill regardless of the nationality of its owner, considering this ability a powerful factor that can be used to strengthen relations between the two countries.
He pointed out that football provides access to a wide global audience, while hockey has well-established shared traditions, and wrestling has proven the possibility of continued encounters and competitions between Americans and Russians.
He called for not being satisfied with these three sports but expanding cooperation to include other areas, questioning why more opportunities were not made available for athletes and young people from both countries to meet, stressing that children do not need to wait for political disputes to be settled in order to play together, nor do all diplomatic conflicts have to be resolved before two Olympic champions sit down together and talk to young athletes about achieving success.
He stressed that such initiatives do not reflect weakness but rather demonstrate self-confidence.
At the same time, he explained that these ideas are still in the exploration and study phase, and no confirmed dates, times, or venues for the matches have been announced, but he believes the proposals deserve serious consideration.
He concluded by emphasizing that his mission in the field of global partnerships is to identify promising opportunities, open doors, bring together stakeholders, and help turn ideas into actionable initiatives, expressing his desire to open the door to a new phase of sports cooperation between the United States and Russia.
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