Ukrainian athletes consistently demonstrate their civic position even in sports arenas. During the awards ceremony at the Cup on Artistic Swimming in Soma Bay (Egypt), Daria Moshinskaya and Anastasia Shmonin's silver medalists refused to hand in the Russian and left the podium before protocol photography.
This is the second such case with the participation of Ukrainian fues in these competitions. Earlier, Moshinskaya, having gained silver in the technical solo, gave up a joint photo with a "neutral" Belarusian athlete.
Fundamental position
Ukrainians did not ignore the fact that their rivals-representatives of the aggressor country, albeit under the so-called "neutral status". After handing over the medals, they ignored the handshake with the Russians Maya Doroshko and Tatiana Gaidai and left the podium demonstrably when it was time for a collective photo.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine supported the actions of Ukrainian fues:
"Our athletes invariably demonstrate the world sports community that they do not press their hands and do not make photos with representatives of aggressor countries, which, unfortunately, have to compete in international competitions."
It's not a single case
Similar actions occur in other sports. In particular, the 13-year-old Ukrainian karatist Yevgeny Melnyk recently abandoned a joint photo with a Russian on a pedestal during Mexico competitions. The opponent also performed under the "neutral flag".
These actions of young Ukrainian athletes are not just a protest gesture, but a clear signal to the international community, which with the "neutrality" of the aggressor country does not agree even those who have not reached the age of majority.
