Paralympian from Mariupol Wins Third Medal for Ukraine in Paris and Expresses Outrage Over Russians' Entry to Competitions
Ukrainian swimmer Oleksandr Komarov won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris in the 200m freestyle in class S5. After the race, he expressed outrage at the admission of Russian athletes in neutral status to the competition.
This was reported by Suspilne Sport.
For 36-year-old Komarov, this Paralympics was the fourth in his career. In the finals, he covered the 200-metre freestyle in 2:30.13 minutes and took third place, behind only Italian Francesco Bocciardo, who set a new Paralympic record, and ‘neutral’ Kirill Pulver.
In a commentary to journalists, the swimmer spoke about the impact of the war on preparations for the 2024 Paralympics and expressed outrage at the admission of ‘neutral’ athletes with Russian passports to the competition.
‘I really enjoyed it, but it was hard. I only recently started training this distance after I changed my sports class. Last time I swam this distance at the European Championships and also won a bronze medal. And now I also won bronze and improved my time. I think this result is good for another reason, because I train abroad without a coach. We communicate online, via video. But I prepared myself, so this is a good result for both of us. In these difficult times for Ukraine, it's almost a victory,’ Komarov said.
He also said that he is from Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine and survived almost a month of bombardment without food or water. He has been abroad for two and a half years and has been training remotely with a coach, and is now in Ukraine.
‘What are the emotions of getting into the top 3 with a Russian? Unfortunately, our enemies were allowed to participate in the Paralympic Games, and we have to put up with it. But we have a clear goal, as always, to fight for victory with everyone,’ said the Ukrainian.
When asked by a journalist what he said to the Paralympic winner, Komarov replied: ‘I told him that I would have to move away from him because there was a subject of the Russian Federation standing next to him, supposedly neutral, but we all know that neutrality is only on paper. I greeted him and wished him success, and then I stepped away [and put my hand over my heart]. With Ukraine in my heart and hoping for our victory as soon as possible.’
As The Gaze previously reported, the Ukrainian national team won the first two medals at the Paralympic Games in Paris: Anton Kol won silver in the 100m backstroke in S1 class, and Anna Hontar won bronze in the 50m freestyle in S6 class.