Number of Ukrainian athletes killed by war named

The Russian army has so far killed at least 262 Ukrainian athletes. This was said by Ukrainian Youth and Sports Minister Vadym Gutzeit during a meeting with President of the International Gymnastics Federation Morinade Watanabe, who is visiting Ukraine, the presidential office said.

He said that all those who died at the hands of Russian aggressors could have shown good results in sport and participated in international competitions. However, the Russian invasion interrupted their lives.

Gutzeit also pointed out that the Russian army destroyed 363 sports facilities in Ukraine.

The sports minister stressed the need to extend sanctions against Russian athletes internationally and prevent them from competing.

It is very important for us that there are no athletes from Russia at sports competitions and the Olympics, because they all support this war and attend events held in support of this war," the minister stressed.

For his part Watanabe pointed out that he is a friend of Ukraine and Ukrainian gymnastics. He said that he had visited Bucha, where he had seen with his own eyes the consequences of the actions of the Russian military and also talked to local residents.

I feel your pain. Those who support the war deserve to be severely punished," the president of the International Gymnastics Federation said.

We shall remind you that the executive committee of the International Olympic Committee recommended the international federations to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as individual neutral athletes.