Yaroslava Mahuchikh urged Europe, in her speech at the 18th Council of Europe Sports Ministers Conference to ban Russian athletes from competing in international competitions. She drew attention to the tragic loss of 487 Ukrainian athletes, coaches and sports facilities in the war.
According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Olympic and World Athletics champion Yaroslava Mahuchikh called on Europe to ban Russian and Belarusian sportsmen from international competitions.
The Russian war has had a major impact on Ukrainian sport. The Ministry of Youth and Sports reported that at least 487 Ukrainian coaches and athletes have been killed and that more than 500 sporting facilities have been destroyed.
Athletes and officials from Ukraine are currently using every international platform available to inform the world of their country’s struggle against the Russian invasion and the atrocities that have been committed by Russian forces.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh appealed to exclude Russian athletes during the 18th Conference of Sports Ministers of Council of Europe member states at the “Youth Initiative”, which included delegates between 18 and 25 years old who were athletes or representatives of sport organizations.
“More 500 athletes and coaches were killed in this brutal conflict. These are not just numbers, they are our friends and colleagues, our hopes, our future. The kidnapping and removal of thousands of Ukrainian children from their country is a crime. They could include future Olympic champions as well as talented coaches, doctors and even future ministers. Mahuchikh stated during her speech that the war was destroying our country, and our future sports.
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