The Ukrainian community of New York held a protest in Manhattan against the admission of Russian athletes to international sports competitions. Organizers emphasize that the return of Russian representatives to the world sports arena is unacceptable as long as the war against Ukraine continues and civilians are dying.
This was reported українська організація Svitanok in New York.
A peaceful action “No Representation for Terrorists in Sports” was held in Columbus Circle in New York, organized by the Ukrainian public initiative Svitanok in New York.
The protest participants opposed the return of Russian athletes to international competitions under the so-called neutral status. According to the organizers, after the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, most international sports federations suspended Russian athletes, but recently more and more sports organizations have resumed their participation in international competitions.
“More and more organizations are trying to normalize the presence of Russian athletes on the international stage, giving them the opportunity to broadcast Kremlin propaganda to the whole world. Many of those Russian athletes who have been allowed back into international competitions are close to Putin and his oligarchs… the more Russia increases the intensity of the war, the more joyfully the world accepts it on global platforms. We are protesting against the normalization of the Russian presence in international competitions, while their compatriots are killing Ukrainian civilians every day,” the organizers emphasized.
During the action, protesters drew attention to the fact that, in their opinion, the return of Russian athletes to world sports contradicts the principles of peace and international solidarity, since the war against Ukraine is ongoing.
The organizers also recalled Ukrainian athletes who suffered as a result of Russian aggression. In particular, they remembered figure skater Kyrylo Marsak, whose house was destroyed by the Russian strike, skeleton athlete Vladislav Geraskevych, who drew attention to the dead Ukrainian athletes, as well as 10-year-old athlete Kateryna Dyachenko, who died as a result of the Russian attack.
The protesters called on international sports federations and competition organizers to prevent Russian athletes from participating in world sports events as long as Russia continues its war against Ukraine.
The participants of the action stated that world sports should not become a platform for legitimizing the aggressor state.
"Where is the peace for Ukrainian athletes who train in buildings damaged by airstrikes and live under Russian terror every day? Russian terror cannot be tolerated. Do not allow Russian athletes to participate in sports," the participants of the action emphasized.
Photo: Dariana
Author: Inna Mikhno