If Russian clubs and teams are gradually banned from all major current competitions, Ukrainian athletes have other more serious questions to ask themselves. To commit or not to commit militarily to defend their country from the Russian invasion? Tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky has chosen, as he explains in a short video where emotion surfaces at every moment.
“I learned to use a gun…”
“The Ukrainian army has called in the reserve, and anyone who wants to fight is invited to join the army and get a weapon. Many people have made this choice. I joined the reserve last week, there was a need to sign documents, now there is no need anymore I have no military experience, but I learned to use a gun in the private circle . I don’t see the reason why all the men in this country have to send their families away and risk their lives…”
At almost the same time, the 2019 biathlon pursuit world champion, Dmytro Pidruchnyi, who was still in the running at the Olympics ten days ago, indicates on its networksmade the same choice. “My team and I remain in Ukraine to defend our country which has been invaded by Russia. We withdraw from all future competitions. Do not stay away from this conflict. Give money, demonstrate in your cities, force your governments to help us. Don’t say sports and politics are unrelated, it’s the same when soldiers and civilians in my country are being killed while you read this”.
“Don’t stay away”
All Ukrainian athletes from disciplines related to the army, such as biathletes, will have to commit if they haven’t already, while the International Biathlon Federation (IBU) decided on Saturday to ban the anthems and flags of Russia and Belarus during World Cup events, in accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Russian athletes will not be allowed to compete in the last three World Cup events still on the schedule.