The former athlete and current president of the Ukrainian Olympic Committee, Sergei Bubka, could not hold back his tears on Wednesday during his visit to refugee athletes in Rome and assured that he is “heartbroken”, but that he is doing “everything possible to bring peace and save my people”.
The Ukrainian sports legend attended a meeting with the media in Rome and visited the Ukrainian athletes that Italy has hosted due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, something he values and wanted to thank.
“Without Italy we would have no future. Never in my life have I found so much solidarity. I am heartbroken. I am doing everything possible to bring peace and save my people”said the Olympic pole vault champion (Seoul, 1988).
And it is that Italy is the country that has welcomed the most Ukrainian athletes so far: “We interpret the concept of Olympic solidarity in the best way”explained the president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), Giovanni Malagò, who received the now Ukrainian president in the Italian capital.
“Always consider the Olympic preparation center as your second home, although we do not want it to be forever, since we know how much you want to return to your country”, declared Malagó.
Bubka was able to speak with athletes from different Ukrainian federations who now reside and continue their sports practice within the Italian bordersamong which are rowing, taekwondo and fencing athletes.