The Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics was held under the most unique and challenging of circumstances for all countries last March 4-13, especially for Ukraine. Despite the ongoing Russian invasion, Ukraine won a total of 29 Paralympic medals, second overall following the host country China, which won a total of 61. Let us take a closer look at some of their individual stories and how they overcame their hardships.
Cross-country skier Dmytro Suiarko garnered Paralympic bronze after his home in Chernihiv was bombed. The visually impaired biathlete expressed that he was happy over the win but was distracted by the war in his homeland.
“Very hard concentration is needed in biathlon and I missed twice because yesterday my house where I live, it was bombed and destroyed,” the Suiarko told the Olympic Information Service.
Along with Suiarko, Vitalii Lukianenko and Anatolli Kovalevskyi dominated the Paralympic podium, winning gold and silver, respectively. According to National Public Radio, Lukianenko is now the most successful para biathlete in all history.
Iryna Bui finished with the gold medal in the women’s biathlon, taking a stand against the war and dedicating her gold medal to every Ukrainian civilian and soldier.
“With our performance we represent the whole country and this is our battle here,” Bui shared. “We are here to fight for Ukraine, with Ukraine and in the name of Ukraine.”
Completing the podium sweep for the women’s biathlon, Oleksandra Kononova snatched silver, and Liudmyla Liashenko bagged bronze.
The president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee Valeriy Sushkevych stated that their arrival in Beijing was a miracle and that it was their duty to compete in the Paralympics.
“Not coming here would have been taking the easy option. Our presence at the Paralympics is a sign that Ukraine is and will remain a country.” With constant bombings and shellings raining over their nation, the Ukrainian delegation is currently residing in Poland.
The Ukrainian biathletes are soldiers in their own arena, bringing bittersweet victories to their nation in a time of war and heartbreak. “We’re here to represent our country,” said cross-country skiing gold medalist Oksana Shyshkova in an interview with The New York Times, “to glorify our country, to tell the world that Ukraine exists.”
The Winter Paralympics serve as a reminder of the beauty and importance of peace between nations and the strength that cooperation and diplomacy can bring about. It allows for biathletes around the world to bring attention and glory to their homelands and inspire action and change to help resolve conflicts.
With this, let us stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters as we are made aware of their resilience despite their unimaginable circumstances and their determination to keep on fighting.
Comments