War Claims the Lives of 262 Athletes in Ukraine

Ukrainian Sports Minister Vadym Hutset announced that the Russian war has claimed the lives of 262 Ukrainian athletes and destroyed 363 sports facilities. During a meeting with the President of the International Gymnastics Federation, Morinari Watanabe, who is visiting the country, Hutset stated that no athletes from Russia should be allowed to participate in the Olympics or other sports competitions. A statement on President Volodymyr Zelensky's website quoted Hutset as saying, "They all support this war and attend events organized to support this war." The International Olympic Committee has recommended a gradual return of athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competition as neutrals. It has not yet decided on their participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics.