Ukrainian competitors in Paris for the Olympics shared on Friday the unique challenges they face as hostilities with Russia continue back home.
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00:00All the athletes in Olympic Village have had the impact by the Russia, by the war in Ukraine.
00:26So they all know what's going on right now in our country.
00:30Every athlete who didn't lose a friend, a relative, or a parent,
00:37every athlete felt what was happening in Ukraine.
00:42That's why we don't pay attention to these athletes at all.
00:47We don't congratulate them. They don't exist for us at all.
01:00It was very difficult to prepare for the Olympic Games.
01:15There were constant air strikes, we had to go to the bomb shelter, hide, and then warm up again.
01:24It was extremely difficult.
01:26But I'm here thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, thanks to the boys and girls who defend our country.
01:32We have the opportunity to train, we have the opportunity to represent our country at the Olympic Games.
01:38So I want to thank them.
01:40And, of course, I can't say that I'm calm.
01:43I'm constantly worried about my dad, who is now in Mykolaiv.
01:47He serves in the National Guard of Ukraine.
01:50So I'm constantly worried about him.
01:52I'm constantly worried about the Olympic Games, because we are athletes.
01:57And it's also a huge stress for us.
02:00It's the most important start in my life.
02:03And, of course, I will do everything I can to show the best result.