"Lost to a misunderstanding": Ukrainian refused to take a photo with a Russian and criticized their participation in the Paralympics

Ukrainian track and field athlete Oleksandr Lytvynenko has criticized the participation of Russian athletes at the Paralympic Games in Paris, which are currently taking place in Paris. Having won a bronze medal in the long jump for athletes with impaired movement of all limbs, our compatriot added that he was sorry to lose to a representative of the Russian Federation.

Lytvynenko said this in a commentary to Supilne Sport. The 34-year-old Odesa resident noted that the so-called neutral athletes from the aggressor country cannot be considered as such, as they tacitly or openly support Russia's criminal war against Ukraine.

"I'm 34 years old, this is my second Paralympics, maybe my last. So this medal is important to me. But I'm a little bit scratchy at heart because I lost to this misunderstanding. Because of this, I have a grudge, not against anyone, but against myself. I spent February and March in the basement, didn't sleep well, couldn't train. And the "neutral" Russians were training calmly, having fun, smiling. They are not 'neutral', they will all come home and support the war, take pictures with the heroes of the SVO, deputies - those who are killing us," Lytvynenko said.

It is worth noting that Oleksandr refused to take a joint photo with Russian Yevgeny Torsunov at the award ceremony. The day before, Ukrainian runner Ihor Tsvetov beat two Russians in the 100 meters to win the 2024 Paralympics.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Ukrainian swimmer Andriy Trusov was disqualified from the final of the 2024 Paralympic Games in the 100 m breaststroke in the SB6 class (athletes with impaired motor functions, amputated limbs or growth disorders).

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