Ukraine's Participation in 2024 Olympic Games is More Than Sport, It's "The Will to Win"
To support Ukrainian athletes at the XXXIII Olympic Games during the Russian war, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, together with the Office of the President of Ukraine, have launched a communication campaign "The Will to Win". The communication campaign will support the participation of Ukrainian athletes at the XXXIII Olympic Games.
"Ukraine's participation in this year's Olympic Games is more than just a sporting event. This is a story about the Will to Win, a unique feature of Ukrainians. Our participation in the Olympics is a clear signal to our international partners that we are strong, we believe in victory, and we will win," the ministry said in an official statement.
Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Matviy Bidnyi, spoke about the Ukrainian House at the 2024 Olympic Games, countering Russian hybrid threats, and updating the anti-doping policy.
"Our main goal at these games is to use this platform to attract the world's attention through our athletes, through their heroism and the heroism of our people," said Bidnyi. "Our slogan for the Olympics is 'Will to win' - the will to win. And we want, in particular, to convey our will to win to the world through the Ukrainian House," the head of the Ministry added.
"Volia Space will become the main representative office of Ukraine outside the Olympic Village, serving as a cultural and media hub.
"We are now developing a programme and attracting international media representatives so that we can constantly broadcast our narratives and show the Ukrainian will to win," said Bidnyi.
"Volia Space will be located in the Trabendo hall in La Villette Park, next to the Houses of other countries.
"It will be the centre of Olympic life, the Olympic movement outside of sports venues and the Olympic Village. There will be houses of about 15 other European countries. Volia Space will be located next to the French House," said Matviy Bidnyi.
The head of the Ministry of Youth and Sports added that the French side provided assistance with the premises and organisation, as well as created the best conditions for Volia Space to operate at this year's Olympic Games.
Matviy Bidnyi stressed the importance of combating Russian propaganda in sport. "We have achieved a lot since the Russian and Belarusian teams will not participate in the Olympics. We continue to work actively to ensure that no Russian propagandists are allowed to participate," said the head of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He added that Russia is trying to discredit the Olympic Games through information campaigns.
The head of the Ministry of Youth and Sports also noted why Ukraine considers the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions as an instrument of Russian hybrid warfare. "Russian athletes and sports officials are part of the system used to spread state propaganda and influence," Bidnyi said. "We consider them to be agents of hybrid influence, as they are actively involved in promoting the political agenda of the aggressor country through sports," he explained.
As The Gaze previously reported, Ukraine will officially participate in the next Olympic Games in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024.