Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
A Ukrainian biathlete scored a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics just one day after his home was destroyed amid Russia’s invasion of his native country.
Dmytro Suiarko, who placed third in the middle distance vision impaired event on Tuesday, opened up about the bittersweet moment and shared how difficult it was to stay focused.
“I am happy, but you know the situation in Ukraine,” Suiarko said via the Olympic Information Service,according toUSA Today. “Very hard concentration is needed in biathlon and I missed twice because yesterday my house where I live, it was bombed and destroyed.”
Regarding Ukraine’s sweep at the event, Suiarko added, “I am very happy, but not 100% because in my country there is a very big situation and I want peace for Ukraine.”
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine is performing well in the 2022 Beijing Paralympics. Ukraine is currentlysecond in the overall medal count, with six golds and 19 total medals, only behind China with 10 golds and 31 total medals. Canada is the only other team with more gold medals (seven) than Ukraine.
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With NATO forces massing in the region around Ukraine, various countries have also pledged aid or military support to the resistance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for peace talks — so far unsuccessful — while urging his country to fight back.
Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy vowed not to bend.
“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,” he told the European Union in a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
To learn more about all the Paralympic athletes, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Paralympics airing now on NBC.
source: people.com
