Olympics 2024: ways to support Ukrainian athletes

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games is set for the evening of July 26 in Paris, with the global sporting event continuing until August 11. This year, Ukraine’s delegation comprises only 140 athletes, marking the smallest team in the nation’s history at international sports events. This significant reduction is attributed to the ongoing war on Ukraine, as Russian aggression continues unabated.

Amid these challenging circumstances, Ukrainian athletes are poised to represent their country’s resilience and spirit on the world stage. Recognizing the need for support, the Ukrainian World Congress has outlined multiple ways for individuals and organizations to back these competitors during the Olympics.

If you find yourself in Paris during the Olympic Games, you have a unique opportunity to support Ukrainian athletes at the Olympic Ukrainian House, known as VOLIA Space. This venue serves as the primary cultural and media hub for Ukraine at the games and acts as the central rallying point to cheer on the Ukrainian team, which embraces the “The Will to Win” motto. Additionally, VOLIA Space provides a space to honor and remember Ukrainian athletes who have lost their lives due to Russian aggression and consequently will never participate in the Olympics.

We invite everyone to visit the “The Will to Win” multimedia exhibition, dedicated to the indomitable spirit of Ukrainian Olympians, which will be showcased at VOLIA Space. Organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and supported by the Office of the President of Ukraine, this significant cultural initiative has been made possible through a partnership with the Ukrainian World Congress and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council. It will take place at Parc de la Villette, 211 Av. Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris, France. Registration is required.

“The Will to Win” exhibition is designed to showcase the extraordinary resilience and determination of Ukrainian athletes who continue to exemplify a relentless pursuit of victory despite facing the adversities of war.

In your local communities, there are several ways to support the Ukrainian team, including hosting film screenings, exhibitions, and memorial events that pay tribute to Ukrainian athletes who have been killed by Russia. We specifically encourage you to organize screenings of documentary films as part of the “The Will to Win” project. This initiative not only supports the athletes but also raises awareness about their struggles and the broader impact of the war on sports and culture in Ukraine. To gain access to high-quality photos and videos, please contact: [email protected]

We also invite you to share the #TheLastOlympics campaign online. “The Will to Win” project aims to capture global attention on the escalating threat posed by authoritarian regimes to free democratic nations. It carries a powerful message: supporting Ukraine now is crucial, as failure to do so could mean that this Olympics might be the last, with the Olympic flame potentially being overshadowed by the flames of an ensuing world war.

Participants in the campaign, ranging from athletes across various Olympic generations to young sports enthusiasts, emphasize the importance of the Olympic spirit, fair competition, and the merit of victory. These reflections highlight the core values that define the Olympic ethos and the role of sports in promoting peace and unity globally in the project’s main video. They also draw parallels to World War II – from 1936 in Germany to 1948 in the UK, the Olympic Games were not held for 12 years.

“If the civilized world permits Russia to conquer Ukraine, we can be assured that Russia and other imperialist powers will continue to use military force to realize their distorted historical ambitions,” stated UWC President Paul Grod. “Defeating Russia in Ukraine is crucial to preventing a global war.”

“I am sincerely grateful to the Ukrainian World Congress team for supporting and bringing this idea to life, for all their hard work and enthusiasm. Through this project, I see how many people resonate with the thoughts on the collective responsibility of the civilized world. I hope this campaign will change the minds of at least a few people who still ignore the threat from Russia and other aggressive authoritarian regimes of today, and make those who believe they can remain aloof from the great battle between good and evil have second thoughts,” said Vesta Gunchenko, Creative Director, playwright, and the author behind the idea of the #TheLastOlympics project.

For more detailed information about the campaign and the 488 Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia, visit the project page: https://thelastolympics.org/