Artūrs Irbe, a veteran hockey player from Latvia, has recently expressed his views on the current state of the Olympic movement amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. He emphasizes the suffering and loss experienced by innocents, particularly children and families, as a result of the conflict. In light of this, he supports the actions of fellow athlete Heraskeviča who honors the memories of war victims, stating that such recognition should be inherent during significant events like the Olympics. Irbe articulates a sense of disappointment with the modern Olympic ideals, pointing out that unlike ancient Greece, where a truce was observed during games, today's environment fails to uphold similar values of peace and respect.

Irbe further condemns the apparent hypocrisy within the Olympic movement, claiming that while sports should reflect ideals of humanity, the reality is that financial interests often overshadow moral considerations. He asserts that the decisions made by top sports figures often appear to be influenced by a mercantile agenda, where personal gain holds more weight than ethical decision-making. This reflects a broader sentiment that the current landscape of sports is inhabited by individuals who may be ‘bought’ to fulfill the needs of financial stakeholders, compromising their integrity in the process.

He recognizes his own position within this system, noting that even he has been subjected to the demands of contracts that prioritize monetary aspects. Irbe’s reflections underscore a growing disillusionment with a world that seems increasingly driven by commerce rather than personal values, calling for a re-evaluation of what it means to compete and represent nations on a global stage, particularly in the face of humanitarian crises.