During the meeting, they talked about the current world situation and Russia’s absence from the international championships and gender equality in sports in general and bandy in particular.
Tell me, what else did you talk about?
– How important it is with sport as a central movement in the Swedish society, which means so much to so many young people. And it builds community and of course engages many parents, says Magdalena Andersson.
It also turns out during the conversation, that Andersson has a special personal relationship with bandy.
– Yes, I watched bandy on and off when I was growing up with my dad. And I was actually born after my mother had stood up and had watched an entire bandy match. After that it was time for me to come out. So I got the urge to come out when it was time for bandy, says Magdalena Andersson and laughs.
Bandy role model for other sports
The world championship’s in Växjö/Åby 2023 is completely unique and historic as both the women’s and men’s WC are beeing held at the same time. Equality in bandy was one of the topics of conversation during the joint lunch.
– It is a role model for other sports. But also that there is equal compensation for men and women in swedish bandy, which is not the case in all sports. Other sports have something to learn from this, concludes Magdalena Andersson.
After lunch, Magdalena Andersson made the roughly 20-minute drive out to the bandy court in Åby to watch the men’s opening match against Norway. Before leaving for the arena, Andersson received, among other things, a signed national team shirt, cap and scarf from the official national team collection, which she wore during her stay in the arena.
Interview: Martin Gustafsson
