Navigating threats and family safety: Ukrainian athletes' journey to the Paris Olympics

Paris: Since the onset of the war with Russia in 2022, the fear of death has been a constant for ordinary Ukrainians, including the majority of the country's 143-strong athlete contingent here for the Olympics starting Friday. Even in normal circumstances, the pressure to perform on such a grand sporting stage can be overwhelming for top athletes. 

Ukrainian athletes, however, faced extraordinary challenges in preparing for the event amidst daily life punctuated by missile attacks and air sirens over the past 29 months. Electricity has become almost non-existent due to the destruction of power grids in the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers the athletes currently in Paris as "heroes," expressing this sentiment in a virtual address on Wednesday. Teenage diving sensation Oleksiy Sereda and slalom canoeist Viktoriia Us were among those who participated in the call with President Zelenskyy. Speaking to PTI outside the Athletes' Village, Sereda and Viktoriia shared their stories of survival and described their training experiences for the ultimate sporting challenge.

"We had lots of troubles for preparation for this Olympics because there are always air alerts back home (for an impending missile strike), you have to go to a safe place and hide.

"That is why all our preparation in Ukraine was super hard. But we are here and (will) try our best to get some medals," said Sereda, who became the youngest European Diving Champion at 13 years of age back in 2019, breaking Tom Daley's record in the continental competition.

Sereda, originally from Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, trained in Kyiv for the Olympics despite the constant sound of air sirens, which made it nearly impossible for him to focus on his sport. Despite these challenges, he managed to qualify for his second consecutive Summer Games.

The now 18-year-old made an impressive debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, finishing sixth. He has also secured four medals in World Championships.

Standing alongside him outside the Village, slalom canoeist Viktoriia also believes that being in Paris is not just about competing; it is also a testament to the unwavering resolve of Ukrainians during wartime.

The 31-year-old from Kyiv will make her third Olympic appearance, having trained in France for the past 12 months.

"For me this Olympics is not just about participation. This is super important for the people of Ukraine and soldiers protecting us. I feel proud to represent them," said Viktoriia.

"Even after such a long time since the war happened, nobody is safe in Ukraine. Kyiv (capital city) is still under attack from missiles and we need more air defense systems. We will only be safe when the war is over," she said.

Both Sereda and Viktoriia, who shuttle between Ukraine and France, have narrowly escaped death themselves. While away on national duty, they also fear for the safety of their families back home.

"When the war started, a shell hit my house in Mikolaiv but I was lucky that nobody was home. The bomb caused a hole in the roof but thankfully no one was injured," recalled Sereda.

"The situation is mentally very stressful. When you are training you feel you are scared to dive from 10 metres but at the same time, some bomb can hit the swimming pool. It is stressful. I am really worried about my family especially my father, he is a soldier," he said.

Viktoriia too has gotten used to living under the shadow of war.

"It is stressful mentally, to live in a country at war. I was in Ukraine when a missile struck my house, there was no electricity. We are hoping to win this war and get back to normal life.

"A lot of countries are helping us but we need more support. We need more missile defense systems because all the time, we are under attack," she said.

Russian athletes should not be here even as neutrals

The International Olympic Committee has barred Russia and ally Belarus from the Summer Games, yet their athletes are allowed to compete under a neutral flag. Ukrainians at the Games have been advised to avoid interacting with athletes from Russia and Belarus. Viktoriia strongly feels that Russian athletes should not have been permitted to participate in the Olympics in any capacity.

"I did not meet anyone from Russia and I hope I will not meet them. But I'm thankful to the IOC that they are not allowed to participate under the national flag. I feel they should not be here even under the neutral flag.

"The Olympics are all about peace and we need peace first and then we will see," said Viktoriia.

Her younger compatriot Sereda too left the interaction with a compelling message.

"The world must see that Ukrainians are here and competing and everyone must remember about this horrible situation in Ukraine. We are here to show that Ukraine is read to fight anywhere," he added. PTI