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On July 26, the Summer Olympic Games begin in Paris, and 140 Ukrainians will represent their country as it continues to fight against the aggression of Russia.
Though this is the smallest team in the Olympic history of Ukraine, it still has high hopes for the results.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy encouraged Ukrainian athletes ahead of the competitions.
“Today, the Summer Olympic Games begin in Paris. Our people, our flag, and our anthem stand with everyone who respects life, human values, the principles of Olympism, and fair rules. We are proud of our team—the men and women who, despite this aggressive war, have managed to prepare for the Olympics and embody the spirit of all Ukrainians. They have our will to win and Ukrainian character,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
“Every Ukrainian athlete at the Olympic Games is a hero who is already a winner,” Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi claims as Ukraine is fighting for Olympics medals and for its survival.
Bidnyi, in a comment for AFP, stated that Ukraine needs to remind the world that it still exists despite Russia trying to wipe it out, and is still capable of fighting and winning.
Earlier, outstanding Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina revealed she would bear the Ukrainian flag during the Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 26.
Read also: Russian chef detained in Paris over ‘destabilization’ Olympic Games plot
