Ukrainians defend their new patriotically designed uniform for 2024 Paralympics

The 2024 Paralympics Games was opened with a ceremony in Paris. No less than 140 athletes are representing Ukraine during these games. For the first time in history one of the uniforms for Ukrainian Paralympians will feature not two, but three colors.  This innovation was announced by Valerii Sushkevych, who is President of the National Committee of Sports for the Disabled of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian team has several forms of uniform during the games, both official and sporting. In addition to their traditional yellow and blue, the new design includes green. “For the first time, the parade uniform of Ukrainian Paralympians will feature not only yellow and blue, but also the color of our soldiers – green, which has a ‘defensive’ military look. It resembles the military uniform, and while it is not a military uniform, it says a lot. We are here not just for a sports festival, but to fight for peace as well,” Sushkevych explained at a press conference.

An additional element on the uniform is a map of the country with its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and Donbas. Officials from the International Paralympic Committee initially refused to approve the updated sportswear, claiming that it was overly political.

“They categorically banned the map of sovereign, independent Ukraine on the uniform, but we insisted on having Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders on our uniform. They argued that our uniform had too much of a military design and prohibited the additional green military color that appeared on our uniform,” Sushkevych said.

However, the National Paralympic Committee were able to successfully defend their updated design. “We were able to prove our legal right and the Ukrainian significance of all the colors of our uniform! And you, our fans – Ukrainians, will surely understand the deep contemporary and national philosophy of our uniform at the highest sports forum of the quadrennial!” Sushkevych concluded.