Sport Paris 2024
“Preparation under bombs” – Ukraine announces participation in the Olympics
As of: 5:55 p.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes
The Ukrainian rowing fleet will compete in Paris
What: REUTERS
Until recently, Ukraine had considered boycotting the Olympic Games in Paris due to the start of Russian athletes. However, the country has now announced its participation. The first victory has already been achieved.
In an interview with WELT AM SONNTAG, Ukrainian Sports Minister Matwij Bidnyj considered his country’s boycott of the Olympic Games in Paris. The reason was the International Olympic Committee’s uncertain dealings with war enemy Russia.
However, it is now clear that Ukraine will allow its athletes to take part regardless of the Russian war of aggression. Bidnyj officially confirmed this on Monday in Kyiv. He spoke of the fact that his country had already achieved a victory: Russia, which had unleashed the bloody war, was suspended from the Olympic movement.
Decision made: Ukrainian Sports Minister Matwij Bidnyj announces participation
Source: dpa/Friedemann Kohler
President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Ukraine, Vadym Gutzait, called the trip to the Summer Games from July 26 to August 11 in Paris an important message. “It is already a victory that we can take part under the conditions of the invasion,” he said. In Ukraine the preparation is taking place “under rockets, under bombs”. However, most Ukrainian teams trained abroad.
Avoid photos with Russians
Because of the war that has been going on for more than two years, athletes from Russia and Belarus are only allowed to take part in Paris as neutral athletes without a flag or anthem. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the professional associations should also ensure that no athletes come who have emerged as supporters of the war. Ukraine has provided dossiers on Russian or Belarusian athletes for such decisions.
also read
Because of these regulations, nothing stood in the way of Ukraine taking part in the Olympics; However, there was still no final confirmation. At the beginning of May, the Ukrainian NOK published recommendations to its athletes to avoid meeting and taking photos with Russian athletes in Paris if possible.
