Trump Envoy for Global Partnerships: Sport Can Reopen Doors That Politics Has Kept Shut
Paolo Zampolli, U.S. Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, spoke with TASS about sport, fair competition and the prospects for practical diplomacy between the United States and Russia.
During their recent phone conversation, President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin - marking the resumption of regular high-level contacts - agreed to strengthen closer ties between our countries, including in the area of sports. In particular, the presidents expressed their support for the organization of friendly matches between prominent Russian and American hockey players from the KHL and NHL in both countries. Do you believe this idea has the potential to be realized?
- Yes, I believe it can be realized. President Trump knows that sports can reopen doors that politics has kept closed. Hockey is a natural place to start because the United States and Russia have tremendous talent, history and respect for the game.
But we must not stop at hockey. Football is a global game and I welcome FIFA and the relevant national federations to hold an international friendly match between our two national teams.
Perhaps sooner rather than later, our great nations can meet again on a football pitch - not to pretend that a match can resolve any differences, but to show that competition can reopen the conversation.
Football unites the world because it belongs to everyone. My role at Global Partnership is to help turn good ideas into actionable conversations. Both hockey and football can remind us that competition does not necessarily mean hostility.
- As a special representative of the President of the United States, you have repeatedly publicly supported the restoration of Russia's flag and anthem at international sports competitions. How do you evaluate Russia's prospects for full and unrestricted participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
- I have always supported the principle that athletes should not be a permanent substitute for political negotiations. The return of the Russian flag and anthem for the Paralympic athletes in Italy was a meaningful move and I welcomed it. I am optimistic that continued progress can create a credible path towards full Russian participation in Los Angeles 2028.
America must host games that are safe, fair, and open to every eligible athlete. This reflects President Trump's confidence in American leadership and Secretary Rubio's belief in practical engagement while supporting clear laws.
- Russian and American athletes have a long tradition of competing for top honors in multiple sports - hockey, basketball, swimming, running, skating, gymnastics, etc. Do you think the absence or limited presence of Russian athletes in major international competitions reduces the value of victories for American athletes and deprives them of powerful and worthy opponents?
- The best heroes want to beat the best. When top athletes are absent for reasons unrelated to their individual behavior, the competition loses something, and people know it. It doesn't take away the medals won by American athletes under the rules set before them, but the best medals won against the strongest possible field. American and Russian athletes have promoted each other for generations. True competition breeds respect, and respect is one of the few diplomatic currencies that never loses its value.
- In the midst of widespread politicization of sports, is there an opportunity for America and Russia to be a model of fair and equal cooperation? How can we show that the true spirit of sport is alive and well? What specific steps can be taken to achieve this goal?
- Yes. The United States and Russia can compete fiercely while cooperating fairly. The first steps must be practical: creating a sports joint working channel, developing a proposed hockey portfolio, exploring a FIFA international friendly between our national soccer teams, reinstating youth and coaching exchanges, supporting collegiate tournaments, inviting retired champions to serve as goodwill ambassadors, and creating clear pathways for eligible athletes to return under clear rules.
President Trump believes in peace through strength and agreements that bring tangible results. Sports offer just such an opportunity. We don't have to agree on everything before athletes and fans are allowed to meet. Maybe sooner rather than later, the first whistle on the soccer field can start a new conversation. Sometimes the post-race handshake is what makes the next diplomatic step possible.
- You met with the Minister of Sports of Russia Mikhail Degtyarev recently in Bishkek. How did that meeting go and what topics did you discuss?
- I had a constructive and direct conversation with Minister Degtyarev. We discussed sports, Los Angeles 2028 and the potential for sports interaction between Americans and Russians. I came believing that there is an opportunity here.
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. Sports is one of the purest places to see what excellence takes.
And great athletes understand something else. You can desperately want to beat your opponent and still respect him. This lesson is valuable far beyond exercise. This is why I believe we need to think bigger.
I would like to see an American vs. Russian football match. National teams if conditions allow. If you can't make it happen right away, check out a legends contest or other exhibition format.
Bring young players around you. Gather the coaches together. Give the children of both countries the opportunity to meet the athletes they admire.
- Do you plan to have more meetings with Russian officials? Do you want to travel to Russia for negotiations?
This is one of the things I admire about President Trump's approach. He is willing to talk. He is willing to negotiate. But finally he asks: What is the result?
Secretary Rubio brings the same focus to American diplomacy—clarity about America's interests combined with a willingness to engage seriously when engagement can produce something.
Let's examine an American vs. Russian football match. Let's check out the serious USA-Russia hockey partnership. Let's build on what has already happened on board.
President Trump and President Putin have already discussed the US-Russia hockey games. This makes for an interesting starting point.
I particularly want to check out a USA vs. Russia hockey legend event.
Think about what it could represent. Great American heroes Great Russian heroes Athletes that people grew up watching.
Then put the young players around you. Coaching clinics, youth exchanges, meetings between academies
Alexander Ovechkin is a prime example of the wonderful connection that sports can create.
A Russian athlete came to Washington and won the admiration of millions of Americans for his performance, longevity and dedication.
American athletes have generated the same respect internationally.
People recognize excellence. That is powerful. I would like to use it.
Football gives us a lot of global reach. Hockey gives us a remarkable shared tradition.
Wrestling has already proven that Americans and Russians can meet and compete.
And then we can look beyond these three sports.
Why shouldn't America and Russia create more opportunities for their athletes and youth to meet?
We don't have to agree on every political question before an American child can kick a football with a Russian child.
We don't have to settle all diplomatic disputes before two Olympic champions sit down and tell young athletes what it takes to grow up.
These ideas are exploratory. I am not announcing confirmed teams, dates or locations.
But I am very clear that I believe they are worth pursuing.