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Russia will meet all obligations for hosting the 2018 football World Cup, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday - before the tournament logo was unveiled with some help by the International Space Station. |
“I have no doubts that Russia will carry out all works in the given time frames and, of course, on the highest quality level,” Putin told a meeting with Joseph Blatter, president of the ruling body FIFA, in Moscow, according to an official transcript.
Russia is building and reconstructing 12 stadiums and 125 other sports buildings for the big event, Putin said.
The president also promised effective security, but stressed that the measures won’t be excessive.
“There will be no discomfort for players and fans,” said Putin after the meeting at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium.
The World Cup logo - showing the World Cup trophy in the Russian colours of red, blue and while, with some gold added - was revealed during a TV show by three cosmonauts via video link from the ISS.
It was beamed onto Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre as part of a light show, and brought to the TV studio where Blatter said: “The launch of the emblem is a wonderful event to kick things off and I’m certain that the World Cup will be a success here in four years.”
Blatter had earlier Tuesday said that calls for boycotting the World Cup were futile.
“It is impossible to boycott football. Fifa strongly insists that this championship will be held in Russia,” he said according to Russian news agencies.
Western politicians have called for a boycott because of Russia’s support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.