Top UK diplomat likens Russian World Cup to Hitler’s 1936 Olympics

Boris Johnson agrees with suggestion from opposition lawmaker, who compared Putin hosting upcoming soccer tournament to Nazi leader's propaganda exploitation

By AP 21 March 2018, 7:25 pm
Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson leaves after attending the weekly cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, March 20, 2018. (Ben Stansall/AFP)

LONDON — British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said it is sickening to think of President Vladimir Putin “glorifying” in Russia hosting the World Cup.

After the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Britain said it would not send royals or government ministers to the soccer tournament, though the England team will compete.

Speaking to Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Johnson agreed with a Labour lawmaker who likened the event to Adolf Hitler’s use of the 1936 Olympics as a propaganda vehicle for his regime.

Labour’s Ian Austin said the UK should pull out of the World Cup altogether, and warned: “Putin is going to use it in the way Hitler used the 1936 Olympics.”

In this August 2, 1936 photo, Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering are seen watching events at the Olympics in Berlin. (AP)

Johnson responded: “Yes, I think the comparison with 1936 is certainly right. I think it’s an emetic prospect, frankly, to think of Putin glorying in this sporting event.”

Johnson said the British government is not discouraging fans from attending the tournament, but is concerned about their safety. He said the British embassy official in charge of fan safety was one of 23 diplomats expelled by Russia in a tit-for-tat feud over the poisoning.

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