During the upcoming Paris Games starting this Friday, Ukraine will be represented by 140 athletes.
According to Gutzeit, a former Ukrainian Olympic champion in sabre fencing (Barcelona, 1992) and ex-Youth and Sport Minister, the biggest challenge for Ukrainian athletes is dealing with daily hardships caused by the Russian occupation, such as frequent power outages and inadequate infrastructure for training.
Since the war began, over 500 sports facilities have been destroyed, and 488 Ukrainian athletes have lost their lives.
"At international events and competitions, Ukrainian representatives tell the truth about the war, raise the Ukrainian flag, and remind others of the need for support. Ukraine is still fighting for its independence," said Gutzeit, emphasizing the important role that Ukrainian athletes play as ambassadors for their homeland.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, concerned for the safety of the country's representatives at the Paris Olympics, has issued recommendations to Ukrainian athletes on how to avoid confrontation with the 15 Russian and 16 Belarusian competitors allowed to participate under a neutral flag without national symbols by the International Olympic Committee.
This arrangement was specifically created due to the political situation related to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, despite Ukraine providing evidence of the indicated athletes' ties to the regimes and armies of the aggressor nations.
Gutzeit hopes that Russia, due to the limited number of athletes and the lack of an opportunity to play their own anthem, will be unable to use the Olympics for propaganda purposes.
According to Ukrainian media, the Paris Olympics will not be broadcast in Russia. Unlike Ukraine, Russia will not have the right to compete under its own flag.
Source: PAP
(mp)
