A Ukrainian gymnast carried the Paris Olympic torch with an EU team, in a sign of support
A Ukrainian gymnast has led a group of European athletes carrying the torch for the Paris Olympics through Marseille, a gesture of European unity and solidarity with her country amid its war with Russia
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ukrainian gymnast Mariia Vysochanska led a group of European athletes carrying the torch for the Paris Olympics through the Mediterranean city of Marseille on Thursday, in an important symbolic moment for her war-ravaged country.
The torch relay in Marseille marked the start of an 11-week journey across France ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony on July 26. The ambiance was electric as crowded Marseille streets cheered the relay of torchbearers that included athletes like basketball player Tony Parker or former soccer player Basile Boli.
The big moment for Ukraine came at midday, when a collective of 27 athletes and para-athletes from each EU country took the torch and joined the relay in celebration of Europe Day on May 9. They formed a guard of honor to welcome Vysochanska, who won two gold medals at the 2020 European Championships and competed at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021.
“It is very hard to put all the emotions I experience into words,'' said the 21-year-old athlete. ‘’I feel pride and incredible happiness that Ukraine became the 28th country (to carry the flame with EU countries), and that the captain has honoured me by letting me carry the Olympic flame.”
After handing off to the next torchbearer, the European collective was greeted by French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
The French government, which has been an increasingly vocal supporter of Ukraine, invited Vysochanska to join the event. The war has deeply complicated the efforts of Ukrainian athletes to prepare for the Olympics.
“It’s a way to really insist on our solidarity towards Ukraine,'' Oudéa-Castéra said earlier Thursday. “We are doing a lot to make sure that they (Ukrainian athletes) can prepare in the best possible conditions at a time where they face that terrible war of aggression, and we want to really express that we support them the best we can.”
Vysochanska’s participation holds personal significance: Her father has been fighting since 2015, a year after Russia’s aggression first started with the illegal annexation of Crimea and was followed by armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. Her father participated in the 242-day-long battle for Donetsk airport, where he received a head injury. Soldiers who defended the airport in the currently Russian-occupied city of Donetsk were dubbed ‘’cyborgs'' in Ukraine for holding the position for such a long time.
Her involvement also reflects Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union, which agreed last year for accelerated talks on accession.
The International Olympic Committee announced in March that Russian and Belarusian athletes will not participate in the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony because of the war that Russian President Vladimir Putin launched in Ukraine. Any athletes from these countries must go through a two-step vetting process to compete under a neutral banner.
___
Nouvian reported from Paris. Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv contributed.