War in Ukraine: Svitolina, Zinchenko… Ukrainian athletes support their country


With the war in Ukraine triggered by Russia, several Ukrainian sportsmen have given their support to their country in recent hours.

Author of the equalizing goal against Ajax (2-2) on Wednesday, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, Benfica striker Roman Yaremchuk took off his jersey to display a t-shirt bearing a Ukrainian symbol: the Ukrainian Tryzub . It is the coat of arms of the Riurikide dynasty (founder of the Rous’ of Kyiv, ancestor of Ukraine) and of Ukraine.

The opportunity for the player to support his country. “I wanted to support my country,” Yaremchuk told CNN Portugal. I have thought a lot about this and I am afraid of this situation. The club supports me, they talked to me and wanted to do everything to help me. I thanked them, but so far so good.

Also in the evening, Elina Svitolina, tennis player and in a relationship with Gaël Monfils, took a stand and made a declaration of love for her country. “I am proud to be Ukrainian, she posted on her social networks. Let us unite in this extremely difficult time for the sake of peace and the future of our State. Glory to Ukraine.”

The day before, Manchester City player Oleksandr Zinchenko posted a message on his Instagram account. “The whole civilized world is worried about the situation in my country. I can’t stay away and not give my opinion, wrote the captain of the Ukrainian national team. In the photo – my country. The country where I was born and where I grew up. A country whose colors I defend on the international sports scene. A country that we try to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain inviolable. My country belongs to the Ukrainians, and no one can ever take it over. We will not give up!”

Another sports personality to have spoken, Andrei Shevchenko. The former Ukraine striker and coach said he was “proud” of his country. “We have been through many difficult times and over the past 30 years we have shaped ourselves as a nation,” he posted. A nation of sincere, hard-working, freedom-loving citizens! This is our most important asset!”

Another retired athlete who has supported the country: Wladimir Klitschko. The former boxer, world heavyweight champion, whose brother Vitaly is mayor of Kiev, posted a photo of him on Instagram in the Ukrainian capital.





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