Degtyarev called sport and love for Russia a unifying force.

Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said at the opening of the Ministry of Sports stand at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026) on June 4 that sport allows all people to unite, regardless of their professional activities.

"Sport unites everyone: those who develop the economy and those who defend the Motherland. Our love for Russia and sports unites us," TASS quoted Degtyarev as saying.

Degtyarev noted that a new venue has appeared at the SPIEF — the Sports house, where the Ministry, the State Sports Museum, the Russian Olympic Committee, the Russian Sports Foundation and the TRP complex are represented. According to him, there will be a lot of activity here, as the forum is the country's key economic platform.

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