Days after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine's Paralympic team saw its chances of attending the Games in Beijing fading. But after successfully making the trip as its homeland remains under constant attack, the “miracle” team of 20 athletes has surged to the top of the medal table.
."I want to dedicate this medal to the guys who protect our cities. Not only on the borders of the country, but on the borders of the city they protect us, and I dedicate this medal to them."
International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons said last week that getting the Ukrainian team to Beijing safely would be a"mammoth challenge." Ukrainian Paralympic Committee President Valeriy Sushkevych told reporters Thursday it took more than four days for the team to get to China."It's a miracle that we're here. … A part of our team was already abroad. A part of our team was in Ukraine. All the necessary equipment was in Ukraine.
"It is 25 years I am president of the National Paralympic Committee of the Ukraine. And never was it so difficult, so heavy to come to the Paralympic Games."Sushkevych added it may not be so easy returning home, especially if the fighting escalates.
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