On March 21, Deputy Head of Chancery of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Mikhail Vinogradov participated in the round table discussion in Saint Petersburg devoted to creation of discrimination-free environment in the cities which are to hold the World Cup 2018.

The event was organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with the participation of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia and the Commissioner for Human Rights in Saint Petersburg. Mikhail Vinogradov welcomed the participants on behalf of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia. In the speech of welcome he noted that football is an "ambassador of peace" that helps to establish and maintain friendly relationships between countries and nations.

The participants to the event discussed the process of preparation of the city to the upcoming international games, participation of football fun clubs in preventing disorders, and the issue of discrimination in sports.

Commissioner for Human Rights in Saint Petersburg Alexander Shishlov and a representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rashid Aluash, also addressed the round table.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein stressed in his video address that fighting discrimination in sports plays a significant role. Representatives of the Ministry of Sports, executive bodies of Saint Petersburg, the Russian Football Union, football fun clubs, mass media, and officials of the Organizing Committee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia took part in the event.

The past workshop became one of the range of events devoted to fighting racism and discrimination in different spheres of human life, including sports, and that were supported by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia.