“We are shocked by the events that occurred yesterday in Kiev. We are thinking about our families and loved ones back home in Ukraine, and we are doing our best to honour them on the fields of play here in Sochi,” the athletes said on Ukraine’s national Olympic committee website on Wednesday.
“We also deeply mourn and express our sincere condolences on the death of our fellow Ukrainians. As Ukraine Olympians, we strongly believe in and base our lives on the main Olympic ideals – of peace, unity, friendship and fair play that unite people regardless of age, gender, race, political or religious preferences," the message said.
- “We appeal for peace and mutual understanding to find a positive way forward for Ukraine. We believe in the wisdom and integrity of the Ukrainian people. We believe that together we can save our country and find a way forward.
19/2/14
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Related:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos’ statement regarding the situation in Ukraine. -Hellenic MoFA
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Ukrainian security services, police urge protesters to stop rallies by 20:00 Moscow time
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Ukrainer protestieren in Wien....
ReplyDeleteRund 130 Menschen demonstrierten vor dem Parlament gegen das Regime in Kiew....http://kurier.at/chronik/wien/ukrainer-protestieren-in-wien/52.141.121/slideshow
19/2/14
Ukraine: Seventeen protesters killed as EU talks begin...
ReplyDeleteAt least 17 protesters have been killed in renewed clashes with police in central Kiev after a truce agreed on Wednesday broke down, eyewitnesses say.
Witnesses reported live rounds, petrol bombs and water cannon at the main protest site, Independence Square.
A meeting between EU foreign ministers and President Viktor Yanukovych is now under way, officials say, contradicting earlier reports that the ministers had flown out without seeing him.
The EU will discuss sanctions later.
Eyewitnesses quoted by international news agencies say they have counted at least 17, and as many as 21 bodies.
The BBC's Kevin Bishop, in Kiev, saw five dead bodies in the reception area of the Hotel Ukraine, which all foreign media in the city are using as a base..............http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26268620
20/2/14
Ukrainian quits Olympics over violence at home.....
ReplyDeleteSOCHI, Russia -- A Ukrainian skier has withdrawn from the Olympics in response to the violence in her country, with her father saying she did so in "solidarity with the fighters."
The International Olympic Committee confirmed the decision by Bogdana Matsotska on Thursday, and the Alpine skier's father said he and his daughter are "extremely angry at President Viktor Yanukovych."
It was unclear if Matsotska had already returned to Ukraine.
Oleg Matsotskyy, who also coaches his daughter, posted a message in Ukrainian on his Facebook page in which he assailed Yanukovych's latest actions.
"Instead of resolving the conflict through negotiations (which we had hoped he would when we left for Sochi), has drenched the last hopes of the nation in blood," the message read.
"In solidarity with the fighters on the barricades ... and as a protest against the criminal actions made towards the protesters, the irresponsibility of the president and his lackey government, we refuse further performance at the Olympic Games in Sochi 2014.".......http://www.ctvnews.ca/sochi/ukrainian-quits-olympics-over-violence-at-home-1.1695139#ixzz2traxhnWv
10/2/14
Ukrainian athletes to keep participating in Sochi Olympics amid situation in Ukraine...
DeleteEarlier on Thursday, Ukrainian alpine skier Bohdana Matsotska withdrew from further competitions in protest against conflict escalation in her home country.
KIEV, February 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine’s national team will continue to perform at the 22nd Olympic Winter Games currently underway in Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi, the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee said in a release posted on its official website on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian alpine skier Bohdana Matsotska withdrew from further competitions in protest against the escalation of the conflict in her home country. Thus, she will not take part in women’s slalom competitions scheduled for February 21.
“We are profoundly worried over the tragic development in our country and are mourning over the victims of violence,” Sergei Bubka, the president of the Ukrainian National Olympic Committee, said after a meeting with Matsotska. “Our athletes have their own view on and feeling about what is going on. I share the opinion that athletes who represent Ukraine at the Sochi Olympics have an important mission of unity in this time of trouble.”
“Matsotska and her coach respect the position of those Ukrainian athletes who have decided to stay in Sochi to continue their participation in the Games,” he noted. “Matsotska and her coach will stay in Sochi until the end of the Olympic Games to root for Ukrainian athletes.”
http://en.itar-tass.com/sochi-2014-winter-olympics-and-paralympics/720156
20/2/14