The president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee fears for the safety of the movement, one of the most successful in the world, at a time when his country has suffered for two months from the invasion of Russia’s armed forces.
We are leaders in the Paralympic movement […] And now, I fear that the sports movement with disabilities will disappear in Ukraineexplained to AFP Valeriy Sushkevych, on the sideline of a multisport competition for the deaf and hard of hearing (Deaflympics), taking place in Brazil until May 15.
The best athletes in the world in the Paralympic movement do not know if they will be able to continue playing their sporthe continued.
Ukraine tops the country’s standings in the competition, with 46 medals, including 24 gold, twice as many podium finishes than the next country, the United States.
At the 2022 Paralympic Games in March, Ukraine finished 2nd place in the medal table with 29, including 11 gold, its best result at the Winter Games.
The Ukrainian delegation took advantage of the Games to send a clear message on March 10: peace for all.
On that day, members of the Ukrainian delegation took advantage of the training break as well as biathlon and cross-country skiing races to organize a ceremony as a tribute to their fallen compatriots in the country. A minute of silence ensued.
When the Paralympic Games ended, Russia’s aggression took everything in its path. The winter sports training center in western Ukraine has become a camp for refugees driven away by advancing Russian troops.
We can’t say no, followed by sportadmitted Mr. Sushkevych.
He said Paralympic athletes and their families live in this camp, while others are confined and unable to move without training.
It will be very difficult to rebuild the Paralympic movement if it dieshe concludes.
Source: Radio-Canada
