Athletes from Ukraine have vowed to emerge victorious at the upcoming Paris Olympics as the Russian invasion continues.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Youth and Sports organized an event for the athletes in the capital Kyiv on Wednesday.
Rhythmic gymnast Viktoriia Onopriienko said Ukrainian athletes will raise the country’s flag so everyone can see that no one can defeat Ukraine. She said they will make a big contribution to Ukraine’s victory.
A panel exhibition featured photos of artistic swimmers from Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, and buildings damaged by Russian air strikes.
Acting Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi told NHK that the main goal of the event is to show the world what Ukrainian society as a whole, and Ukrainian athletes in particular, are going through today.
He said more than 470 athletes, coaches and others have died in Ukraine since the invasion began, and more than 500 sports facilities have been damaged.
Bidnyi added that many Ukrainian athletes became internally displaced after their homes were destroyed.