February 11, 2025

1083th day of Russian invasion

Ukrainian Paralympians maintain excellence in swimming

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After the swimming competition at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, the country second in the medal standings completely astounded the Games. It was not the United States or a traditional European power like Great Britain or Italy. The country with the second most medal victories, behind China, was Ukraine, a country that has for the last two and a half years fought a war against invading Russian forces. A long-time power in Paralympic swimming, Ukraine somehow managed to sustain its excellence in the sport despite the enormous challenges befalling the nation.

Men’s S7 100-meter backstroke gold medalist Yurii Shenhur said, “All I can say is that everyone on the Ukrainian team is working with all they have got. Maybe that’s the key. I am really thankful for the last couple of years that we got a place where we can train because the war, it’s hard.”

Ukraine finished the swimming events with 40 medals, ahead of Italy’s 37, Great Britain’s 32 and 30 won by the United States. Ukraine’s eight gold medals put them fifth.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has exacted a toll on sports, just as it has in every other facet of Ukrainian life. Reports indicate that some 500 Ukrainian athletes have perished in the fighting from among the more than 3,000 athletes who have served in the Armed Forces. That number includes civilian athletes killed in airstrikes or other attacks.

Many additional athletes are returning from the frontlines with injuries or disabilities. Those fortunate enough to be spared from military duty instead represent their nation in international sporting competitions, but they have been beset by their own challenges. These include financial shortfalls, resource shortages, damage to training facilities and relocation from their homes and training centers, to name a few.

Yet just like the Ukrainian people and their soldiers on the frontlines, Ukraine’s Para swimmers persevered.

Oleksandr Komarov was not able to train in Ukraine. He described his horrible experiences in his home town of Mariupol. But three medal wins, including a gold in the S5 100-meter freestyle and two bronzes, made it all worthwhile. Komarov was in Mariupol when Russia bombed the city. He trained without his coach, only able to speak with him on the phone. It was a difficult situation, but he left Paris with great results and hope for a better tomorrow.

Ukraine’s Para swimmers have proven their prowess in the sport previously with 43 medals (14 gold) in Tokyo 2021, placing fourth in gold medals and third in total swimming medals, ahead of Italy and the U.S. In 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Ukraine was second behind only China with 74 total medals in swimming and 25 gold.

Individually, Andrii Trusov won five medals including two gold, while Danylo Chufarov captured four medals (two silver, two bronze). Yaroslav Denysenko and the aforementioned Komarov each won three medals. Anna Stetsenko led the Ukrainian women with four medals (one gold) while Anna Hontar and Iryna Poida each claimed three medals.

Denysenko experienced some personal hardship while in Paris as his hometown of Poltava was the site of a brutal Russian airstrike that killed 55 people.

He candidly admitted that the Poltava tragedy was “in the back of my mind” and it was difficult for him to sleep. He concentrated on making sure he gave 100 percent effort in his events, even though it was hard to temporarily stop thinking about the casualties in his hometown.

Many Ukrainian swimmers were displaced, some going abroad, like Komarov, who trained and is living with his family in Austria. Chufarov, from Mariupol, has not been home since the start of the war.

Unlike the Olympics, Ukrainian Para­lym­pians were forced to share podiums with Russians, as Komarov did with Kirill Pulver after winning the S5 100-meter freestyle race.

The Ukrainian Para athletes were swimming for something greater than themselves and it seemed to drive them to succeed. Winning medals meant more because of the challenges in training and preparing for the Games. The constant stress and anxiety of worrying about the well-being of family members and friends back home while hearing about attacks and bombings only added to the difficulty of competing at an elite level.

Perhaps gold medalist Trusov said it best.

“It’s a fantastic feeling because it was the hardest medal for me and the medal I wished for the most,” he said.

Other Ukrainian Paralympians noted the country’s fighting spirit, both on the battlefield and in sporting competition.

“We are Ukrainians, we are strong in spirit. We need to do our jobs and keep fighting,” Denysenko said.

Source: The Ukrainian Weekly

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