Politics and Sports: A Tale of Two Arenas

In the wake of recent calls for Russian athletes to be allowed to compete in international events, it is important to remember the realities of politics and sports. Supporters of allowing Russian athletes to compete have argued that “politics should be kept out of sports”, but a visit to the Altair ice arena in Druzhkivka serves as a reminder that politics and sports are often intertwined. The Altair ice arena was once a vibrant hub for hockey fans in Druzhkivka, Ukraine. It hosted numerous games, tournaments, and other events over its many years of operation. However, this all changed when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014. The invading forces shelled the city with artillery fire from nearby hillsides; the Altair ice arena was not spared from this destruction. Today, what remains of the Altair ice arena is an empty shell – its walls riddled with bullet holes and its roof collapsed from shelling damage. The stands where spectators once cheered on their favorite teams are now nothing more than piles of rubble. This is just one example of how politics can affect sports at any level – even if those involved claim to be “politically neutral”. It is important to remember that while we may want to keep politics out of sports, this is often easier said than done. The destruction of the Altair ice arena serves as a stark reminder that politics and sports are often intertwined – no matter how much we may wish otherwise.