The war has claimed the lives of 682 Ukrainian athletes and coaches
Since the start of the Russian aggression, 682 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed. Another 19 members of the sports community are being held captive by Russia, and 13 are considered missing.
This was announced by Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Matviy Bidnyi, on the occasion of International Olympic Day.
According to the minister, the war has also caused significant damage to the country’s sports infrastructure. As of today, 891 sports facilities have been damaged or completely destroyed.
Bidnyi emphasized that Ukraine continues to advocate for barring the aggressor state from the international sports movement and to convey to the world the truth about the war’s impact on Ukrainian athletes. At the same time, Ukrainian athletes continue to represent the country at international competitions, win medals, and raise the Ukrainian flag on the world stage.
Source: Matviy Bidnyi.
A Ukrainian short-track speed skater was also banned from wearing a helmet featuring a quote by Lina Kostenko at the Olympics.
Mykhailo Heraskevych, the father and coach of Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, reacted with despair to his son’s disqualification for wearing a “memorial helmet” at the 2026 Olympic Games.
