Ukraine will send its smallest contingent ever to the Olympic Games in Paris this year, with only 140 athletes slated to compete. This marks a stark reduction from the 155 athletes who participated in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, itself a record low until now, as the country grapples with the aftermath of Russia’s ongoing conflict.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on July 9, Vadym Gutzeit, President of Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee (NOC), emphasized the severe impact of the war on Ukraine’s Olympic preparations. “It is impossible to train when air raids are constantly sounding,” Gutzeit lamented, highlighting the disruptions caused by the conflict.
The invasion has led to significant damage to sports facilities across Ukraine, with over 500 facilities reported as damaged or destroyed. Gutzeit noted that some of these facilities are located in Russian-held territories, further complicating the training environment for Ukrainian athletes.
The NOC president expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for enabling athletes to continue their training efforts. “If the Ukrainian Armed Forces had not protected us from the very first days (of the war) and had not been protecting us now, we would not have had any preparation at all,” Gutzeit acknowledged.
Despite the challenges, Ukraine will participate in 23 sports at the Paris Olympics, including debut appearances in football, breakdancing, and sport climbing. The largest contingent of Ukrainian athletes, 25 in total, will compete in track and field events. Other sports where Ukrainian athletes will compete include badminton and weightlifting, each represented by one athlete.
The 2024 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11. In the previous Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Ukrainian athletes achieved a total of 19 medals: one gold, six silver, and twelve bronze, showcasing Ukraine’s competitive prowess on the global stage despite ongoing adversities.
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