Ukraine's Olympic Spirit: Zelenskiy Hails Wartime Participation

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has praised Ukraine's participation in the Olympic Games as a significant accomplishment in wartime. Despite facing full-scale Russian military aggression, Ukraine is sending 140 athletes to Paris, the smallest contingent since post-Soviet times. Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of Ukrainian presence and criticized Russia's actions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated on Wednesday that Ukraine's participation in the Olympic Games is a wartime accomplishment, adding that their athletes' presence in Paris helps Ukrainians back home maintain 'normal lives'. Ukraine is sending a team of about 140 athletes, the smallest contingent in post-Soviet times.

'It's already an achievement for Ukrainians that, despite the war and full-scale Russian terror, we have prepared and are participating in the Games,' Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. 'Our flag and anthem will be in France alongside all other nations that respect life and the principles of Olympism.'

He added that he had spoken to Ukraine's Olympians and thanked everyone 'who helps Ukraine maintain as many elements of normal life as possible'. Ukraine has been lobbying hard since Russia's February 2022 invasion to bar athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus from the Games.

Only about 15 Russian athletes will compete as neutrals, without flags or anthems, and all were vetted to ensure they had no connections with the Russian military. Russian officials called the restrictions unfair and several athletes declined to compete as neutrals.

Zelenskiy criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying his actions 'have made it so that the only Russian sport today is the killing of people.' He added that the world would not tolerate this and that Russia must lose in this war, emphasizing that 'life will be the winner.'