Latvian PM: I receive only positive comments on the IHWC organization

  • 2006-05-10
  • By TBT staff
Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis has received the most positive comments on the organization of the World Ice-Hockey Championship. "We have scourged ourselves for several years, doubted that the hockey championship can be organized in Latvia, but, as usual, everything is at its best here," Kalvitis said in an interview to the commercial Latvian television LNT on May 10.



Adding that the references that he heard from delegations of other countries and the International Ice-Hockey Federation (IIHF) are very good, and there are no incidents or complaints about the quality of ice, accommodation or organization problems.

"Even during the Olympic Games in Turin, the first days were spent for regulating the ice temperatures, but in Latvia everything was good from the start," minister said.

He admitted that drunk hockey fans caused some troubles during the championship, but "we are trying to be tolerant. We take those, who cannot keep themselves on their feet, to sobering houses, but those, who can name their hotel, are helped by the police to get to the hotel... The partying is going on, but there have not been incidents or fights. The fans are very friendly."

Kalvitis also said that he had received a complaint from Latvian broadcasting organizations about journalist accreditation and promised to note the problem to the IIHF.