‘We will win!’ – Ukraine Olympians share experiences of war as father of Tokyo 2020 star dies in invasion
OLYMPIC badminton star Artem Pochtarev was inspired to help the Ukraine war effort after his father was killed in Kharkiv.
The Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016 ace, 28, is one of several Ukrainian athletes to have been affected by Russia's invasion.
Some, including London 2012 badminton star Dmytro Zavadsky, have signed up to Ukraine's territorial defense forces - like boxers Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko have done.
Pochtarev considered signing up too after his father was killed but with no military experience he decided his skills would be better suited to supplying food to those in need.
Another badminton star, Maria Ulitina, who competed at the Tokyo and Rio Games, has had to leave Ukraine to seek refuge.
The 30-year-old has described the ordeal as being mentally tough but she has vowed to continue playing in order to fly the flag for Ukraine and last week featured at the All England Open Badminton Championships.
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Speaking to SunSport, Pochtarov said: "It is so difficult to watch what is happening now with my native city, where I have lived since 2014. I watch the news, I speak to my friends. Kharkiv (is) getting ruined by Russian forces.
"I have no words at all; it is so painful, especially after what has happened to my father. He was killed.
"My mother and grandmother are still in Kharkiv. They do not want to move. The only hope is for our army soldiers who bravely defend citizens.
"There is no secure place in Ukraine now. It is more or less calmer in the Western part of the country. I am in at home in Kyiv, and on Friday I heard the loudest explosion for the last month. Windows and walls were shaking, lots of car alarms started the noise.
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"It’s so sad to see what they do with Kharkiv, Kyiv, and other cities.
"I am proud of Ukrainian badminton players and coaches who joined our territorial defense forces and army. That’s a great honour to know them personally. I am proud of all our volunteers.
"Regarding my possibility to join the forces, I have to be fair enough and say that I am not sure that I’ll be much of help there with no military experience. But sure, I had such thoughts immediately after the father’s death.
"But, I know what I am going to do. I am linked to farming now, so I’ll do everything to supply Ukrainians with food. We will work to make sure that we will have a harvest this year. I have the experience needed there. I am also responsible for my family, granny, mother, I have to take care of them.
"And, I have no doubts - we will win!"
ON CITY PATROLS
Zavadsky immediately signed up to help out in a military capacity in his native Kharkiv, where he has been safeguarding the city street amid heavy missile attack by Russian forces.
Although the 33-year-old has no military background he too has found a role in helping the war effort.
Zavadksy said: "Of course, I did join the territorial defense squad. It wasn’t a question for me. Right now, most of the time, we are patrolling the city during the nights and help our military on the road checkpoints.
"From the very first day I understood that I want to help everybody as much as I can - military, civilians, volunteers. That’s why now, I’m trying to join every volunteer project, where I can be profitable with my skills and knowledge.
"I'm helping in Kharkiv to coordinate people who want to move out and help them to find the right way to leave the city and a place to stay in safer places.
"I am also organising with my friends all around Europe, humanitarian help and coordinating the transfer and accommodation for our Ukrainian people in Europe.
"I also help Ukrainian sportsmen and women find the places to live and continue their sport training across Europe. Talking to people also helps because it gives them the motivation and a boost to build up a new life."
Ulitina is one athlete who has made good use of the work conducted by people like Zavadsky, having fled from Dnipro to Pecs, Hungary since the outbreak of the war.
FEARS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
And although she is now safe she is still encountering difficulty with regard to her accommodation - she is also fearful friends and family could be killed.
She said: "Honestly, mentally it is tough to deal with everything that is happening now. I know that the best I can do for the country is to continue playing badminton and wave the flag all around the world.
"But knowing that my friends and family and many other people at home suffer from fear under bombs makes me weak. It is tough to be far from home without knowing what will happen and constantly worrying about the country.
"Because of my dog and cat, I cannot find proper accommodation. It is difficult to rent a flat. Also, it is pretty expensive. Until May, I am OK, but I don't know what I will do later.
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"Most of all, I need an accommodation or some help to cover the cost of the rent. I like to be here because I have friends, I know how to live here.
"However, moving to another country with pets is not an easy thing to do. It also brings stress to adopt, so I don't plan to move anywhere for now."
