Official announcements from the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Peaceful March in Paris Honors Fallen Ukrainian Athletes, Calls for Exclusion of Russia and Belarus from 2024 Olympics

Jul 13, 2024, 07:30 PM

In a powerful tribute to the hundreds of Ukrainian athletes who have perished since the Russian invasion of their homeland, the Union of Ukrainians of France led a peaceful march of several hundred people in Paris on Saturday. The protest aimed to honor fallen Ukrainian athletes and called for the exclusion of representatives of Russia and Belarus from the 2024 Olympic Games. High jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, one of the Ukrainian athletes heading to Paris, expressed that she took inspiration from letters received from Ukrainian troops on the frontlines. The peaceful pre-Olympic protest highlighted the impact of the war on Ukrainian athletes as they prepare for the upcoming Olympics.