[패럴림픽] “Medal dedicated to the motherland” Ukraine takes first place with three gold medals on the first day

Ukrainian delegation at the opening ceremony. [로이터=연합뉴스]

Despite the difficult situation caused by the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian team, who participated in the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games, won three gold medals from the first day, giving hope to the country.

Ukraine took the first place in the medal ranking by winning the most three gold medals among participating countries on the 5th, the first day of the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games in earnest. In addition, 3 silver medals and 1 bronze medal were added to obtain a total of 7 medals, ranking second in the total number of medals following the host country China (2 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze), which won 8 medals.

All of Ukraine’s medals came from biathlon. All medal winners shouted ‘peace’ and ‘reversal’, and prayed for the well-being of the Ukrainian people, saying that it is a “medal dedicated to the motherland.”

The process was not smooth until the Ukrainian delegation arrived in Beijing. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine intensified on the 24th of last month, the athletes who were going to participate in the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games were in danger of not being able to come to Beijing. However, despite the difficult times, Ukraine decided to send a delegation to the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games.

Ukrainian squad. [AP=연합뉴스]

Twenty Ukrainian athletes, nine guides, and 54 officials, including officials and officials, entered Beijing on the 2nd following overcoming the chaos caused by the bombing risk and the evacuation procession.

Russia, who started the war, and Belarus, who participated in the war, were banned from participating. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced that it would allow the Russian and Belarusian delegations to participate in the ‘neutral country qualification’, but decided to deny participation through the emergency executive committee on the 3rd due to strong opposition from other countries.

Ukraine attended the opening ceremony of the tournament held at the National Stadium in Beijing, China on the followingnoon of the 4th. When the Ukrainian team appeared at the stadium, the 4th out of 46 participating countries, there was a brief applause from the audience.

Prior to the opening ceremony, the Ukrainian delegation held up placards that read ‘Stop War’ and ‘Peace for UKRAINE’ and urged for peace.

The Ukrainian team, who participated in the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games amid adversity, performed a medal march that gave hope from the first day.

The first medal came in the 6km sedentary biathlon men’s sprint held at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Center. Taras Ladd took the silver medal with a time of 19:09.00.

The first gold medal was won by Grigory Bovchinsky, who competed in the 6km standing biathlon men’s sprint.

In an interview following winning the championship, Bovchinsky said, “I represent my country and I do my best to make sure that the world hears the name Ukraine every day and always. , the people, and the president. I love Ukraine.”

“I love sports, but today I played for my future life in Ukraine. Please stop the war. It’s very important to our children,” he pleaded. “I played for Ukraine, for the peace of the Ukrainian people. “Winning for the sake of it,” he reiterated.

“Before the match, I thought of my family, my relatives and everyone in Ukraine. Today’s match and victory is for them. I just want peace in Ukraine.” and showed his sincerity.

Ukraine swept gold, silver and bronze medals in the men’s biathlon sprint blind category. After winning gold medalist Vitali Lukyyanenko to her relatives in her Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv (Kharkov), she said, “I dedicate this medal to all those who defend our cities.”

Ukrainian-born American athlete Oksana Masters also sent a message of solidarity through social networking services (SNS), saying, “We will be with Ukraine forever” following winning the women’s biathlon sedentary sprint on that day.

Ukrainian athletes compete in biathlon and cross-country skiing events at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Ukraine is a strong country in the Winter Paralympics, placing 6th overall at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games with 7 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 8 bronze medals.

Paralympic Joint Investigation Foundation
Beijing = Reporter Kim Young-seo [e-mail]