This is what happened to the Ukrainian para-athletes in Beijing
“I cried every single day,” said 33-year-old Grigory Vovchinsky about the past few days. The Ukrainian para-athlete had just won gold in the biathlon. But what is precious metal worth when the country and people at home are suffering from a Russian war of aggression?
After the first day of competition at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing, Ukraine was in first place in the medal table. But there was no great joy among the Ukrainian athletes. The sadness and concern for the homeland was too great. And probably the travel odyssey via Italy, Slovakia, Austria and Turkey was still stuck in their bones.
“They are still very quiet and thoughtful in the village,” reported Germany’s Chef de Mission Karl Quade. “Every day the General Secretary shows me pictures of his family and how things are there. It’s all very dramatic.” Quade spoke visibly moved. “That’s why it was certainly important for the team to start successfully. Above all, they want to set an example here and draw attention to blue and yellow in the world,” he added.
That is exactly what Gregori Wowtschinsk is aiming for. The athlete says: “I do my best to represent my country. So that the whole world hears the name of Ukraine every day.” After Sunday, Ukraine continued to be among the top nations as second in the medal standings behind China.
“It’s a miracle we all made it here at all. We were on the road for four days and four nights,” said association president Valery Sushkevich. “And we had to overcome many hurdles. Many of our team members had to flee bombs and grenades.”
It was difficult, almost impossible, to concentrate on the sport, Vowchinsky confessed. “There are more important things. I kept thinking about the war. To my country The people. The children. My President.” He added: “It was clear to me: I have to give everything for Ukraine here.”
This is how the visually impaired Oksana Schischkowa, who also won gold in the biathlon, felt. “All my thoughts are only with my family, my relatives, with everyone in Ukraine,” she said. It’s just sport, added the third winner of the opening round, Vitaly Lukyanenko (43): “But it’s still very important for our country.” (With material from dpa)
