MOSCOW, Aug 9 1968 Olympic silver medalist former Czechoslovak striker Josef Golonka believes that politics should not be mixed with sports, and therefore sees no reason to return the sweater presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Golonka received the sweater as a gift from Putin in 2020. Earlier, the two-time Stanley Cup winner Czech Dominik Hasek said that the performance of Czech players in the Continental Hockey League (KHL) is a danger to the Czech Republic and its citizens, and also offered to put them in prison for 15 years for working in Russia. «I have no reason to return the gift «I am convinced that politics should not be mixed with sports. I must admit that Hasek surprised me a little. It is interesting that (Jaromir) Jagr, who is the third best player in the history of the NHL, does not comment on this topic. Let's ask ourselves why someone it’s embarrassing that the Czechs and Slovaks are going to play in the KHL, but it doesn’t bother anyone that the Russians continue to play in the NHL, ”sport.cz quotes Golonka. Golonka also noted that he respects the Russian Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin , who posted a photo with Putin on social networks. «He is an exceptional hockey player who shows an excellent game. I respect him. When the World Cup or the Olympics is on, he packs his bags and flies to his national team, not really finishing the last match in the NHL,» the ex-hockey player added.
