The Paris Paralympics will open on the 28th. A photo from the Paralympic torch relay site on the 27th can be seen in the image. The routine for the Ukrainian volleyball team competing in the Paris Paralympics, which is set to begin on the 28th, included the use of anti-tank mines. Despite the war with Russia continuing for the third year, training itself was almost miraculous. It was difficult to find equipment such as weights and devices, but solid anti-tank mines in disc form were scattered around. Athletes like Maksym Petrenchuk trained with old mines.
The athletes are actually active-duty soldiers. An article by The Economist, interviewing the Ukrainian Paralympic volleyball team, highlighted their spirit as both soldiers and athletes, emphasizing their intense training atmosphere. There are a total of 74 Ukrainian athletes registered to compete in the Paralympics until the 8th of next month, according to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Notably, swimmer Mykhailo Serbin from the Ukrainian delegation was featured in The Guardian on the 26th (local time), expressing the team’s goals and determination to represent Ukraine on the global stage.
However, there is no guarantee that Ukrainian athletes will make it to the dream arena. One team member interviewed by The Economist was withdrawn as the situation intensified just before the competition. Several athletes who intended to compete ended up falling in battle.
There is also concern for the families left behind. Petrenchuk mentioned worries about his son, being just at the beginning of his life, and shared plans his family made in case of emergencies.
The Paralympics offer a momentary escape from the horrors of war. For 27-year-old Jennia Korinets, who lost a leg last year after participating in the war, training diligently with Bruce Springsteen’s music playing brings a sense of brightness to his face. Anatoli Andrusenko, the team’s oldest member at 60, also dedicates himself to training alongside the younger athletes.
The training of Ukrainian athletes was made possible with the assistance from neighboring countries. From the host country France to Finland, many countries provided training facilities and accommodations as well as comprehensive support.
The Paralympics started in 1948 to promote the rehabilitation and training of war veterans. The majority of Ukrainian Paralympic athletes are soldiers injured in the war with Russia, responsible for their rehabilitation. Valeriy Sushkevych, head of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee, emphasized the importance of the Paralympics as a beacon of hope and potential for those physically and emotionally scarred by war.
Dmytro Melnychuk mentioned that volleyball used to be his top priority in life, but now victory in war has taken precedence. Wearing the distinctive yellow and blue uniform representing the national colors of Ukraine, Melnychuk steps onto the court starting from the 28th.