On 2026-10-15, Paolo Zampolli sat down with the Russian news agency TASS to discuss how athletics could serve as a conduit for dialogue between the United States and Russia. He framed the conversation not as a negotiation over political differences but as an opportunity to create practical, joint initiatives that could be launched without waiting for broader agreement.
Zampolli proposed a series of specific measures designed to rebuild ties through sport. The first was the establishment of a joint sports working channel, a standing forum where officials from both countries could coordinate on athletic matters. He also called for a hockey series that would bring American and Russian teams into regular competition, and for an international football friendly between the national squads. Beyond elite events, he urged the restoration of youth and coaching exchanges, the support of university competitions, and the invitation of retired champions to act as goodwill ambassadors. Each of these ideas, he said, would create clear pathways for eligible athletes to return to international competition under transparent rules.
Throughout the interview, Zampolli repeatedly linked his proposals to President Donald Trump’s stated approach of "peace through strength." He argued that sports provide a platform for interaction that does not require prior political consensus, allowing athletes and fans to meet even when governments remain at odds. In his view, such encounters could act as a catalyst for broader diplomatic progress, turning a handshake after a match into the first step toward a new conversation. He emphasized that agreements that produce visible results—like a scheduled game or a joint training camp—align with the Trump administration’s preference for tangible outcomes.
Zampolli also stressed the importance of having Russian athletes participate in international contests.
US Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli said sports could reopen doors in Russia-US relations that have been closed because of politics: https://t.co/CNP6sbsgKd https://t.co/o66a1C2sT5
Zampolli also stressed the importance of having Russian athletes participate in international contests. He noted that the best champions want to compete against the best, and that the absence of major competitors can diminish the quality of the competition. By allowing Russian athletes to take part, he contended, the events gain respect and the level of play rises. He summed up this belief with the remark that "American and Russian athletes have elevated one another for generations. Real competition creates respect, and respect is one of the few diplomatic currencies that never loses value."
He closed the interview with a forward‑looking image: perhaps sooner rather than later, the first whistle on a football pitch could begin a new dialogue, and the handshake after the match might make the next diplomatic step possible.