Ukrainian Athletes Overcome War to Compete at Paris Olympics

Ukrainian athletes, facing the horrors of war, have defied all odds to compete in the Paris Olympics. Teenager Oleksiy Sereda and slalom canoeist Viktoriia Us shared their harrowing experiences of training amid missile attacks, reflecting the resilience and determination of Ukrainians. President Zelenskyy lauded them as heroes.

The fear of death has been a daily reality for Ukrainians since the war with Russia broke out in 2022. For the country's 143-strong Olympic contingent, this fear accompanies them to Paris as they prepare for the Games beginning on Friday.

Olympic pressure is immense even in peacetime. Ukrainian athletes have managed to train under the constant threat of missile attacks and air sirens for the past 29 months. Despite power grid disruptions and almost non-existent electricity, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls these athletes 'heroes' and conveyed this sentiment in a virtual address on Wednesday.

Teen diving prodigy Oleksiy Sereda and slalom canoeist Viktoriia Us voiced their struggles outside the Athletes' Village, recounting their difficult preparations amidst air alerts and war. Sereda, 18, trained in Kyiv despite air sirens, while Viktoriia, 31, trained in France, representing Ukraine's resolve and the soldiers defending the nation.

(With inputs from agencies.)