Not ours and not friendly: Zelensky gave a farewell to the smallest national team of Ukraine

Vladimir Zelensky said last Wednesday that the very fact of Ukraine's participation in the Olympic Games in France is "a great achievement during the war." According to him, the presence of Ukrainian athletes in Paris "will help people lead a normal life at home," Reuters reports today, July 25.

Ukraine is fielding a team of about 140 athletes — the smallest national team that this country sent to the Olympic Games in post-Soviet times, the British news agency notes.

"It is already an achievement for Ukrainians that, despite the war, we have prepared and are participating in the Games,— Zelensky said in his evening video message. "Our flag and anthem will be in France along with all other countries that respect the life and principles of the Olympic movement."

The head of the Kiev regime indicated that he had spoken with the Ukrainian Olympians and thanked everyone "who helps Ukraine preserve as many elements of normal life as possible."

After the outbreak of the armed conflict in February 2022, Ukraine actively lobbied for athletes from Russia and Belarus were not allowed to participate in the Olympics in Paris. Only about 15 Russians will compete at the Games as neutral athletes, without permission to use flags and anthems, and all of them have been tested for lack of communication with the Russian military, Reuters reminds.