Ukrainian biathlete – about her service in the border troops, as well as the impact of sports on the life and hypocrisy of athletes “from the other side”
Ukrainian biathlete Anastasia Merkushina spoke about how she served in the army in the early days of the war, and also shared her opinion about the athletes “from the other side.”
About serving in the border troops in 2022:
“Details cannot be disclosed. Let me just say, it didn’t last long. I didn’t ask where they would send me. I just came and followed the order, because biathletes are often attached to the armed forces.
“Was it scary? Yes a little. But at the same time, there was composure. Knowing that I will follow orders. It must have changed my opinion of myself. I realized how much I want peace and that I am ready to do everything in my power. I even scared myself. Remember the words of the former biathlete Zaitseva? Like, she is ready to go to war, because she knows how to shoot. And I will defend myself. I don’t want to kill, but I would protect Ukrainian children who are taken away from their parents, I would protect women who are raped. It still doesn’t fit in my head how you can come to someone else’s house with a weapon!”
On the impact of sport on life and ideology:
“Sport is part of world diplomacy. He cannot be away from politics. I can agree when they say that sport should unite, promote peace. But, excuse me, but where are the calls for peace from the other side? Or if sport is out of politics, then why are you participating in a Z-rally? That is, you call for killing Ukrainians, and then you want to compete with them?! I have not yet said how many athletes, their relatives and friends died in our country, how many sports facilities were destroyed.
“I repeat, athletes are responsible, like all public people. Their behavior is watched and discussed. If a famous person says from the podium that he is for the war, it is necessary to kill the Ukrainians, then this affects the collective mind.”
After her military service, Anastasia gradually returned to training. In January 2023, she became the European champion in the sprint. Subsequently, she was recognized as the athlete of the month in Ukraine.
In August, Merkushina Sr. got into the main application of the Ukrainian women’s team for the 2023 Summer World Cup in Brezno-Osrbli, Slovakia. Her sister Alexandra is in the junior team.
Source: Sportarena
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
