The impact of the war
© Photo by Nikolay Synelnykov
Since the first day of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has been under heavy shelling by Russian invaders—from artillery systems shelling close-to-frontline territories to missiles ranging up to the Western border of Ukraine. There is no place anywhere in our country that is really safe. Curfews, bomb shelters and air alerts are our new daily reality.
Many Ukrainian athletes had to make difficult decisions under these trying circumstances. At the start of the full-scale invasion, over 50 athletes out of our community of 350 left their homes and relocated either in Ukraine or abroad to evacuate themselves and their children. More than 20 athletes joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Words can’t describe what we felt as we learned that one was killed in action while defending the Kharkiv region… Many others volunteer.
Training and organising sports events is very challenging in the current conditions. Everyone is affected by severe lack of sleep and stress from the continuous missile and drone attacks on civilians. All events are also subject to change in case of air raid alarms.
But we still stand. And do whatever we can to help our country get back to something that resembles normality.
