Trump’s Special Envoy Outlines Potential US-Russia Sports Cooperation

According to Paolo Zampolli, ‘The United States and Russia have produced some of the greatest athletes in history.’

Washington, October 15. /TASS/. In an interview with TASS, Paulo Zampoli, the US Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, outlined the potential steps that Moscow and Washington could take towards sports cooperation.

"I would like to see an American-Russian soccer match. National teams if the situation allows. If that can't happen right away, consider a legends match or some other exhibition format. Bring the young players around. Bring the coaches together. Give kids from both countries a chance to meet the athletes they admire," the diplomat said.

He described his meeting with Mikhail Degtyarev, the Minister of Sports of Russia, held on September 1 in Bishkek, as constructive.

Zampoli said: "I had a constructive and direct conversation with Minister Degtyaryev. We talked about sports, Los Angeles 2028 (2028 Olympic hosting plans - TASS) and the potential for sports interaction between the Americans and Russians.

According to Zampoli, "The United States and Russia have produced some of the greatest athletes in history."

"And I think sometimes we forget what an extraordinary achievement that is. An elite athlete can spend ten, fifteen, twenty years preparing for moments that might last only seconds or minutes. President Trump has always believed in celebrating excellence and winners. Sports is one of the purest places to see what excellence takes. And you great athletes understand otherwise." Defeat yourself and still respect him. This lesson is valuable far beyond exercise. This diplomat emphasized: This is why I believe we should think bigger.

The full text of the interview is available on the TASS site: