Olympic champion from Ukraine Mahuchikh demands exclusion of Russian athletes from international competitions

Olympic champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh, speaking at the 18th Council of Europe Sports Ministers Conference, urged Europe to ban Russian athletes from international competitions. She highlighted the tragic loss of over 487 Ukrainian athletes and coaches in the war and called attention to the destruction of over 500 sports facilities as a result of Russian aggression.

Oct 11, 2024 - 23:00

Olympic champion from Ukraine Mahuchikh demands exclusion of Russian athletes from international competitions

Yaroslava Mahuchikh. Credit: UkrInform

Olympic and World Athletics Champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh has called on Europe to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from international sport competitions, according to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Russia’s war has taken a significant toll on Ukrainian sports. The Ministry of Youth and Sports reports that at least 487 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed, and more than 500 sports facilities have been destroyed.

Currently, Ukrainian athletes and officials are using every international platform to inform the world about their country’s fight against the invaders and the atrocities committed by Russian forces.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh made her appeal to exclude Russian athletes from competitions during the 18th Conference of Sports Ministers of Council of Europe Member States at the “Youth Initiative” event, which included delegates aged 18 to 25 who are athletes or representatives of sports organizations.

“More than 500 athletes and coaches have been killed in this brutal war. And these are not just numbers – they are our friends, colleagues, our dreams, our future.
Thousands of Ukrainian children have been shamelessly kidnapped and taken from our country. Among them could be future Olympic champions, talented coaches, doctors, and possibly even future ministers. The war is destroying our country and the future of our sports,” Mahuchikh said during her speech.

Together with Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Matviy Bidny, Mahuchikh also participated in the presentation of a photo exhibition on the impact of the war on Ukrainian sports, which took place during the conference.

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