Russians kill 456 leading Ukrainian athletes
16 May 2024 17:37
During the full-scale war, Russians killed 456 Ukrainian athletes who were affiliated with the national teams of Ukraine. The head of the Ministry of Sports of Ukraine, Matvey Bidnyi, said this in an interview with DW, reports "Komersant Ukrainian"
“As of today, the number of athletes and coaches who have died – and these are only those who were related to the national teams of Ukraine – is 456 athletes. More than 500 sports infrastructure facilities and more than 100 youth infrastructure facilities have been destroyed. We are suffering very heavy losses,”
– the minister said.
He added that Oleksandr Peleshenko, two-time European weightlifting champion and fourth prize-winner at the Olympic Games in Brazil, had recently died.
The Minister stressed the importance of other athletes representing Ukraine at international competitions, including the Olympic Games. It is known that there will also be “neutral” athletes – citizens of Russia and Belarus – who will compete under a neutral flag.
“It is very difficult to go out on the sports field and compete under the rules of fair play with a person who, after a few handshakes, knows the person who pushes the button that may have killed your loved ones. And we also understand that our athletes are a very attractive target for various provocations,”
– the official said.
He recalled the scandal involving Ukrainian fencer Olga Harlan, who refused to shake hands with a “neutral” Russian athlete and was disqualified from the World Championships. Now the regulations for such competitions have been put in order, the minister says.
“That is why we have developed a number of recommendations that will allow our athletes to avoid such provocations. This is a certain security component that will at least reduce the risk of getting into an uncomfortable situation or becoming a victim of a provocation that could be used by Russian propaganda,”
– said Matviy Bidnyi.
