The Invictus Video games are underway and a few of the first medals received have been earned by Ukrainian athletes. On Sunday, Rodion Sitdikov, a Nationwide Guard veteran, received the gold medal in shot put. "Glory to Ukraine!" the workforce wrote on Fb when asserting the win.
The Invictus Video games, an Olympic-like competitors the place wounded veterans from everywhere in the world compete in varied sports activities, have been created by Prince Harry in 2013. The video games have been postponed in 2020 and 2021 and at the moment are underway in The Hague, within the Netherlands.
Within the first few days of the video games, a number of different medals have been earned by Ukrainian athletes. Artem Lukashuk and Ivan Geretsun received silver and bronze within the lengthy bounce, in response to a division of Ministry of Tradition and Data Coverage of Ukraine.
Viktor Legkoduh, who makes use of a wheelchair, additionally received gold in shot placed on Monday, the workforce introduced on Fb. Legkoduh fought for Ukraine in opposition to Russia in 2014 and acquired a extreme gunshot wound to his again, in response to a bio in regards to the veteran.
The workforce continued to share information about their wins on Fb on Monday. The nation's archery workforce took house silver. Anna-Sofia Puzanova received a bronze medal for archery. When she acquired her medal, she held up a plaque honoring her mom, Yulia Payevska, a paramedic who's being held captive by the Russian navy, in response to the workforce and native reviews.
The wins come as Ukraine is combating in opposition to Russia throughout an unprovoked battle that has destroyed many Ukrainian cities, killed 1000's and compelled tens of millions to flee the nation. Not less than seven folks have been killed in Russian airstrikes in Lviv on Monday, in response to the regional governor.
The athletes from Ukraine got particular permission to compete on the video games by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, BBC Information reviews. Initially of the Invictus Video games on Saturday, Prince Harry shared a message about Ukraine: "You already know we stand with you. The world is united with you and nonetheless you deserve extra."
Throughout his speech on the opening ceremony, Harry mentioned that the Ukrainian workforce advised him they got here "not merely to point out [their] power however to inform [their] fact. The reality of what's taking place in [Ukraine]." He mentioned his hope was that the Invictus Video games "creates the chance in how we as a worldwide group can higher present up for you."
CBS Information has reached out to Workforce Ukraine and the Invictus Video games for extra data and is awaiting response.