Ukrainan Athletes Speak of Challenges Ahead of Olympic Games

Ukrainian competitors in Paris for the Olympics shared on Friday the unique challenges they face as hostilities with Russia continue back home.

Transcript

00:00All the athletes in Olympic Village have had the impact by the Russia, by the war in Ukraine.

00:26So they all know what's going on right now in our country.

00:30Every athlete who didn't lose a friend, a relative, or a parent,

00:37every athlete felt what was happening in Ukraine.

00:42That's why we don't pay attention to these athletes at all.

00:47We don't congratulate them. They don't exist for us at all.

01:00It was very difficult to prepare for the Olympic Games.

01:15There were constant air strikes, we had to go to the bomb shelter, hide, and then warm up again.

01:24It was extremely difficult.

01:26But I'm here thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, thanks to the boys and girls who defend our country.

01:32We have the opportunity to train, we have the opportunity to represent our country at the Olympic Games.

01:38So I want to thank them.

01:40And, of course, I can't say that I'm calm.

01:43I'm constantly worried about my dad, who is now in Mykolaiv.

01:47He serves in the National Guard of Ukraine.

01:50So I'm constantly worried about him.

01:52I'm constantly worried about the Olympic Games, because we are athletes.

01:57And it's also a huge stress for us.

02:00It's the most important start in my life.

02:03And, of course, I will do everything I can to show the best result.