Ukraine's Olympians in Paris: Competing for Country Amid Conflict

Ukrainian hurdler Anna Ryzhykova views each step on the Paris Olympic track as more than just a race. Her competitions now symbolise her country's struggle for survival against Russia. "You're not doing it for yourself anymore," she says. "Winning a medal just for yourself, being a champion, realising your ambitions — it's inappropriate." Ryzhykova's aim is to draw global attention to Ukraine's plight.

Ukraine's sports achievements have suffered due to the ongoing conflict. Once a post-Soviet sports powerhouse, Ukraine now finds it harder to win medals that capture headlines. An Associated Press analysis highlights these challenges. The war has taken lives and resources, impacting athletes' mental health and training conditions.

Impact on Training Facilities

Since the war began in February 2022, over 500 sports facilities have been destroyed. Russian missiles hit the Lokomotiv sports centre in Kharkiv, depriving artistic swimmers of their training venue. The Neptune aquatic centre in Mariupol was bombed during the Russian siege, disrupting diver Stanislav Oliferchyk's Olympic preparations.

High jumper Oleh Doroshchuk, one of Ukraine's top prospects for Paris, has had to ignore air raid sirens during training in Kropyvnytskyi. He often questions the morality of training while others fight on the front lines. "I think everyone has these kinds of thoughts," he said. "Many people among those whom I know are fighting, and some were killed."

Historical Achievements

Ukraine's first Olympic gold came from skater Oksana Baiul at the 1994 Winter Games, just three years after independence. The ceremony was delayed as organisers searched for Ukraine's anthem recording. Pole vaulter Sergei Bubka and boxing champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko also put Ukraine on the sports map.

At the Summer Games, Ukraine consistently ranked among the top 13 nations until 2012. However, performances declined after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent conflicts. The 2016 Rio Games saw Ukraine win only 11 medals, its lowest as an independent nation.

Athletes' Struggles

The psychological toll of war weighs heavily on Ukrainian athletes. They grapple with their consciences while preparing for competitions. Some find new motivation to fight for their country through sport. "Our victories are to draw attention to Ukraine," Ryzhykova says.

Ryzhykova ran on Ukraine's bronze medal-winning 400-meter relay team in London 2012 and placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles in Tokyo 2021. Any medals she wins this summer will be dedicated to her country. "Attention is drawn to you only when you win," she said in an AP interview.

Losses in Sports Community

The war has claimed many lives within Ukraine's sports community, including athletes and coaches who contributed to its sporting success post-independence. Some might have qualified for Paris if not for their untimely deaths. Coach Valentyn Vozniuk and his wife were among those killed by a missile in Dnipro in 2023.

Ryzhykova remembers Vozniuk fondly as a mentor who ignited her passion for sports. "He was always very cheerful, a happy person who did everything to make children come, enjoy, and stay," she recalls.

The ongoing conflict continues to disrupt training across Ukraine. Athletes often find themselves seeking shelter during air raids, interrupting their routines. Ryzhykova mostly trains abroad due to these disruptions.

This story is part of an AP series documenting the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Ukrainian athletes ahead of the Paris Olympics. As Ryzhykova prepares for her semifinal race in the 400-meter hurdles at the Games, her journey highlights the broader struggles faced by Ukrainian athletes.