Vernyaev: More than 240 Ukrainian athletes died. How then can one say that sport is not politics?

Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics, head of the Independent Artistic Gymnastics Federation in Ukraine Oleg Vernyaev said that more than three thousand athletes are now involved in activities at the front.

“Our more than 3,000 athletes have gone to the front – some are fighting, some are volunteering. A lot of top athletes got involved in humanitarian aid because they have connections abroad. If they can collect money not only in Ukraine, it is more efficient. I know that more than 240 athletes have died, more than 300 sports facilities have been destroyed. After that, how can you say that sport is not politics?

“Children are leaving Ukraine, coaches are leaving, athletes are leaving abroad, Russians are destroying our sports infrastructure – we are losing everything we have. In Russia, they train and compete at championships without any problems. It is impossible for us to train, but the Russians succeed. Then at the championships they say everyone should be on the same level.”

“A 12-year-old girl has died. She was engaged in rhythmic gymnastics, not in the national team, but as a candidate. In three or four years, she could get into the Ukrainian team and compete at the Olympic Games, but she died due to shelling. It happened in Mariupol.”

“For me, Russians simply do not exist. If we meet on the platform, I won’t shake hands or say hello. For me, these people do not exist. I don’t want to see them anymore.”

Early on the morning of February 24, 2022, Russia launched rocket and air strikes on most Ukrainian cities and then launched a full-scale military invasion. The war between Russia and Ukraine continues for the 378th day.