Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, nearly 500 athletes or coaches have been killed.
At the OS in Paris, the country will participate with its smallest team ever.
Now they are receiving support from their president Volodymyr Zelenskyj – and children's drawings in the OS village.
Ukraine's OS team consists of 140 participants. The smallest since the country gained independence. And all of them are not only fighting for themselves, but also for their people.
On Friday, they received support from Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyj, who wrote on X:
"Our people, our flag and our anthem stand with all who respect life, human values, Olympic principles and fair rules. We are proud of our team – men and women who, despite this aggressive war, have managed to prepare for the OS."
In Ukraine's part of the OS village, there are children's drawings with messages such as: "The resilient do not give up and strive for victory" and "Glory to the Ukrainian armed forces." These drawings, which are a tradition to support Ukrainian soldiers on the front line, are now cheering on the country's athletes.
It warms my heart, says fencer Olga Kharlan to AP.
At last year's VM, Kharlan fenced against Russian Anna Smirnova and refused to shake hands with the Russian after the match. The Ukrainian was disqualified, but was still awarded a place in Paris by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
"Dedicated, fearless and determined"
Ukrainian athlete Natalja Dobrynska, who won OS gold in 2008, explains that the OS means more than just competition:
Athletes representing Ukraine are not just going there for themselves, but also to show the rest of the world that we are not defeated. To make sure the rest of the world sees and hears what is happening in the heart of Europe. To give people back home in Ukraine moments of joy and make them forget the war for a while, she says to AFP.
"An unbreakable people"
Since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, nearly 500 athletes and coaches have died, according to AFP. Much of the infrastructure has disappeared. This has made preparations for the OS in Paris difficult for many.
One of them is judoka Dilshot Khalmatov, who reinforces the image to Radiosporten that his OS participation is not just about winning a medal, but also about showing strength to the rest of the world.
We step onto the mat to show that we are an unbreakable people who can compete, even under these conditions, says Dilshot Khalmatov.
