Flying to Germany in February, Ukrainian artistic gymnasts planned to attend two World Cups and go back to Ukraine. Some had additional plans, for example, Illia Kovtun was supposed to compete for his club in the Serie A in Italy. However, on the first day of competition at the Cottbus World Cup, Ukrainians learned Russia has started the invasion of their country.
By now, they have been traveling for almost a month – from Cottbus, they went on to the World Cup in Doha, stayed there after the competition (at the expense of the competition’s organizers), then flew to Cairo, and their next stop will be Baku. Despite the situation, the Ukrainian gymnasts won 10 medals total across the two competitions. Originally, other Ukrainian gymnasts were supposed to compete in Cairo, but those gymnasts had their training interrupted and either cannot get out of Ukraine or are still in the process of fleeing the country and settling in the new place.
For example, Anastasia Bachynska was able to cross the Ukrainian border to Poland with her mother and two siblings and temporarily moved to France where Gym Flip Beaucaire-Tarascon, the club she’s been competing for in the Top 12 league, offered to host her and several other Ukrainian gymnasts. The club is collecting donations for the gymnasts and their families.
When the war started, Bachynska was in Koncha-Zaspa near Kyiv where the Olympic training center is located. Her family lives in Ternopil in the western Ukraine, almost 500 km from Koncha-Zaspa. With help from parents of other gymnasts, Bachynska was able to get to Ternopil and from there, she and her family had to travel another 200 km to the Polish border. Her older brother and other relatives had to stay behind. Men aged 18 to 60 are not eligible to leave Ukraine (besides some exceptions like disabled people or single fathers) because they are subjects to the mandatory draft. This is why, while many of the female gymnasts were able to leave the country, male gymnasts are largely still in Ukraine.
In addition to worrying about their loved ones back home, in Doha, Ukrainian gymnasts had to share the competition floor with gymnasts from the two countries that attacked Ukraine – Russia and Belarus. While most international federations banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions shortly after the start of the war, the FIG delayed the decision and allowed the athletes to compete at the Doha World Cup and the Acrobatic Gymnastics Age Group World Championships in Baku. Per Valentina Rodionenko, the delay was the personal decision of the FIG’s president Morinari Watanabe. This decision ended up putting the FIG in the middle of a massive international scandal after Russia’s Ivan Kuliak competed and attended the medal ceremony with the letter “Z” taped to his chest – the symbol of Russian invasion to Ukraine. Rodionenko justified this behavior and claimed Kuliak’s protest was the reaction to the verbal attacks from Ukrainian gymnasts. Kuliak elaborated on his decision in an interview to RT:
“[The idea to put the Z on came to me] after we saw the behavior of Ukrainians at the competition. They were not nice to us; during some times, their behavior was absolutely unacceptable. For instance, during the competition, they would allow themselves to yell “Glory to Ukraine!”. Or to come out on the podium wrapped in the country’s flag, while we were considered neutral athletes, so we felt uncomfortable because of that. There were many different issues. But the most upsetting was that they asked to withdraw us from the World Cup even though we did not do anything bad to anyone. We came to compete and, in the end, didn’t know if we would be allowed to compete in the finals until the last moment. <…> To me personally, no one [among the Ukrainians] said anything or showed any aggression. But in general, their behavior was raising tensions.”
Kuliak also claimed that even though he knew the Z letter was a military symbol, he thought it meant calling for peace:
“[I chose the letter because] I saw it on our military and looked up what the symbol means. Turns out, [it means] “for the victory” and “for peace”. I did not wish any ill on anyone with my actions. I just showed where I stand. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and compete for peace. That’s it.”
While the letter Z indeed signifies the phrases “for the victory” and “for peace”, it does not mean abstract international peace, it specifically means peace that would come after Russian victory over Ukraine. The letter was originally used on the Russian military equipment in Ukraine and has by now become the symbol of the invasion and Putin’s regime in general. It also comes with a salute which is quite reminiscent of the Nazi salute.
Illia Kovtun had to share the medal podium with Kuliak. 18-year-old Kovtun won four medals at the two World Cups since the start of the war, despite the heavy mental toll. He told Suspilne:
“This was probably one of the worst and most horrible [mental] states I’ve been been in. Right away, there are many thoughts in your head about how you did something right or wrong, you start reevaluating what’s important and wish with all your heart to meet and hug your loved ones. For a time, there was a lot of anxiety to which anger was then added – because of the blind people who, like zombies, are coming to our land [to fight] our people. It was too difficult to get myself together and compete decently.”
“Russian people are blind and zombified and we are the ones who are now giving them an opportunity to become free and escape the hands of a tyrant. But they don’t know how to think and analyze [information] and they are also very-very afraid. I treat everyone kindly, this is how my parents and coach raised me. But now it’s necessary for all Russians to unite and go up against Vladimir Putin, help stop the war where [people] are killed everywhere. I think it’s necessary to pass all the possible sanctions on Russia in all directions, and, perhaps, only then their blind and zombified eyes will open, the war will end and the bloodshed will be over.”
Kovtun’s coach Irina Nadiuk said no one noticed the Z on Kuliak’s chest until after the ceremony:
“We haven’t noticed that sign on his uniform at all. We only wondered why Ivan came to the medal ceremony in his competition leotard and not a tracksuit, which is prohibited by the FIG rules. Only after we were taken to the doping control [after the medal ceremony], people started sending us photos with an emphasis on the sign on [the chest of] the Russian. We were shocked. We treated this athlete and the whole delegation too humanely. They don’t deserve it at all. I think the young man should be banned from all international competitions forever.”
In an interview by Irina Zhuravleva for Tribuna.ua, Irina Nadiuk talked about how the Ukrainian delegation has been dealing with the situation over the past month and how the coaches, while at competitions, are organizing evacuations of the national team. Translation of the interview from Russian was made by Tara Kennaway.
“We traveled abroad before February 24, before the start of the war. We thought about [the possibility of the war] a bit, worried what could happen, but no one could even imagine this in reality. Our team were training full out, they were at a training camp at the Koncha-Zaspa Olympic base. The head and senior coaches left the guys and girls with training plans with what they had to work on, pass verifications, and complete their full training programs. We had no idea that it would come to this.”
“We were convinced that our people would remain untouched by anyone and that we would continue to live, prosper and work for the good of our country, to defend our independence. We didn’t expect that such terrible aggressions, repressions and terrible military actions could be possible in our time, in our civilized world.”
“We had planned in advance to compete at the first two stages of the World Cup. Both girls and boys. These are the first competitions of the new Olympic cycle. The first competition was in Germany, and from there, we had to fly to Qatar, then return home and prepare for the next two stages of the World Cup in Egypt and Azerbaijan.”
“The head coach of the national team Gennady Sartinsky, the senior coaches of the team, me and Yulia Nikolaevna Kayukova, state coach Oksana Mikhailovna Slyusarchuk and judge Bogdan Vladimirovich Makuts flew to the competition. Gymnasts Roman Vashchenko, Nazar Chepurnyi and Illia Kovtun also went, as well as two underage gymnasts Yulia Kasianenko and Daniela Batrona.”
“In the morning [of February 24th], my daughter Kira called me and said that the war had begun. I informed the entire delegation about this, after that we all began to look at our phones. We started to receive messages from our relatives, friends, coaches, athletes, that the war had begun, that Russian troops had invaded us. They then started monitoring Facebook and Instagram.”
“It was hard to collect our thoughts, because everyone was on their phones, on social media, was looking on the Internet in order to connect and be in touch with family and friends. It was very difficult to train properly in the lead up to the competition, but still, we gathered all our strength and motivated each other by the fact that we were obliged to compete well in Germany, that our compatriots were now expecting this from us.”
“We were very strongly encouraged by our families and acquaintances who wrote to us that they needed our victories by way of support. They said that we had to pull ourselves together and perform with dignity, no matter what. It was so hard, but we did it, we understood that it was easier for us than for people on our Ukrainian soil.”
“If one of us was struggling, then we lent them our shoulder and supported each other, motivated them to keep working. It was very difficult, because they would compete and then immediately be back on their phones.”
“The most difficult thing after the news of the war was that the first sirens were in the cities where our relatives and friends are. It was difficult to endure those first sirens, the feeling of fear and pain intensifies at those moments, you understand that you cannot help in any way, there are different thoughts in your head – why are we here, and not with our relatives.”
“But when our loved ones got used to the sirens, then we automatically began to get used to them too. But even now, every siren is very painful and scary for us, because we cannot understand what is happening and where. Our relatives have started to hide, we understand that we do not have complete information what condition they are in, this is also very depressing. But compared to how people in Ukraine are, we are, of course, in better conditions, both physically and psychologically.”
“The families of all the members of the delegation are still in Ukraine, in their cities. Many keep going to work, despite the fact that there is a war. Many men have gone to defend their homeland. The women help the volunteers: they weave [camouflage] nets and cook food, collect clothes and all the things necessary for refugees. People have become very united, coming together to try to help each other.”
“During the sirens, they hide in the basement or cellar, and those who do not have them go to rooms where there is no glass or windows. They are hanging in there, they are not going to leave yet. Many consider it their duty to stay in Ukraine until the end. There are those who want to leave, but there is no way to get to the border. Every family has its own story.”
“We try to help both morally and psychologically. Of course, we also help financially. At the moment, we have all received our salary from the Ministry. We transferred all this financial assistance to our relatives. Personally, I sent my entire salary to my family and the coaches who remain in Ukraine.”
“We have one coach, Yulia Nikolaevna [Kayukova], who helps the women’s team very much. Because our gymnasts are younger, it is easier to get them out of the country, since they are not liable for military service. She is constantly on the phone, helping them get out of the country. Clubs from different countries are helping and are in touch with Yulia Nikolaevna. The girls get to the border, there they are already taken and transported to normal conditions, where they are in a normal society, have a roof over their heads, food and the opportunity to train. Despite the fact that she is far from her country, she still helps out”
“Of course, it’s much more difficult for me on the men’s side. We have already helped several families from our junior team to leave, and the older guys, of course, stay in Ukraine and try to be useful there, try to keep in touch with us.”
“We try not to touch on this topic with athletes and coaches from other countries. Here, at the World Cups, there are representatives of many countries, they have different information, different disinformation. The Russians pass on information to many, many hear something from us. So that there is no politics in sport, we try not to touch on this topic.”
“Many approach us themselves to express condolences and sympathy, concern. Many offer to help. For example, when were leaving Doha, most of the national teams came and gave us bandages, chalk, tape, so that we had things for training. They asked us to write down what we needed. And those who will fly to the third stage of the World Cup in Egypt will bring all these things for us.”
“Initially, we had doubts about whether it was worth competing at the second stage of the World Cup in Doha, because the war was already very aggressive, and athletes from Russia and Belarus were competing there. Our federation wrote a letter asking them to be suspended because the process was already underway. But the document regarding the ban on competition was only signed on March 7th. So it ended up that the Russians and Belarusians were at these competitions without a flag and an anthem.”
“We thought about it for a long time, opinions were divided on the team, but then I called my mother, she is a very wise person, and she said that we need to compete. I called the parents of Illia Kovtun, spoke separately to his father, separately to his mother. They also supported my point of view that we needed to go and compete, because it’s necessary not just for us, but for our entire country. I called our Olympic champion Stella Zakharova, she supported me and gave me encouragement so that we would walk proudly and win in a sportsmanlike way. We decided to compete.”
“We went out onto the competition floor and competed very well, with good results. Unlike the Russian and Belarusian athletes, [we competed] at a very high level.”
“About the flag: we decided spontaneously that the gymnasts would go out with flags. This was very important for us and our country. It was a symbol. The only thing was that after Daniela went up on the medal podium with the flag, the organizers asked us not to do it again, because it’s prohibited according to the FIG rules. But we continued to go up on the podium [before the finals] with flags so that everyone could see and know that we proudly represent our country and will continue to do so.”
“Of course, we had good and positive emotions from our performances, because the guys competed well, got into the finals, won medals. We were able to raise our flag to the highest step of the podium in the parallel bars final, Daniela took 2nd and 3rd places, Nazar got silver on vault, and Illia also got 2nd and 3rd places in other events. So we were satisfied because there were plenty of medals, the guys and girls got together and demonstrated the class and level of Ukrainian gymnastics, despite everything that was going on inside.”
“Daniela initially did not want to compete on the same podium with Russian girls. They often crossed paths in qualifying and our gymnast was a little jittery, she didn’t want [to do it]. But we convinced her, got her ready. Daniela competed and took 2nd and 3rd place – this is a very good result because let’s not forget that she is still a very young gymnast. These stages of the world cup are the first senior competitions of this level for her.”
“She went to the awards ceremony separately from the Russians. When there was the first awards ceremony, she proudly climbed to the third step of the podium with the flag. Daniela was pleased and happy that she did not have to stand on the same medal podium with the Russians. We supported her, it was our shared decision. We are proud of her. She still has a few problems with her back, but she’s working through them.”
“As for Illia Kovtun, he qualified with the Russians in different subgroups, they did not cross paths on the floor. The Russians reached the final on just one apparatus – on the bars. Two of their representatives made it to the final. It was a little difficult there, but they separated them into different groups of four.”
“Illia is very well-mannered, very well brought up, he always behaves very respectfully towards others. He performed well on the bars – this is one of his best events and he confirmed his leadership here by taking the gold. Together with the Russians, he went to the medal podium. Ivan Kuliak was awarded for his 3rd place, and Ilya for first. Ivan was upset at his award, and Ilya, in spite of everything, showed sportsmanlike character and invited him to take a picture. Illia did not hug him, but just wanted to humanely support him so that he would not lose heart, because he was very upset.”
“This is not the first time Illia crosses paths with this guy on the competition floor: we were together at the junior World Championships where Ukraine won medals, while Russia was left off the podium, we also met at the EYOF where Illia beat him in the all-around. Perhaps, those past losses also provoked Vanya, some grudges from the junior career.”
“At the awards, we did not notice any sign on his uniform. We were just surprised why Ivan came to the awards ceremony not in a tracksuit, as required by the FIG rules, but in a competition uniform. When Illia was taken for doping control, they began to send us photos emphasizing the sign on Ivan’s chest in the form of the letter Z.”
“Of course, we were very surprised by this provocation, because we treated them with respect and understanding, remained neutral and competed in a sporting manner. We did not get involved in politics, but Vanya decided a little differently, whether he did it himself or not – I don’t know. Now the Russians are making various posts: either in support of “No to War”, or in support of Kulyak. Most likely, they are dictated from above, what and how to write. I think that Russians now need to think why the whole world raises the Ukrainian flag and not theirs. It’s time to think and stop [the war].”
“We haven’t had to ask anyone for help. A lot of countries of the world, federations, coaches, athletes and ordinary people have offered us help. They contact us through social media, through acquaintances. We have been offered the opportunity to train abroad, have a roof over our heads, train, and also to look after the athletes families. I’ll say again that Yulia Nikolaevna is very actively involved in this, she’s got many team members out.”
“Poland, Qatar, Italy, Bulgaria, Germany & Slovakia are helping us. Nobody refuses. We manage to ask first, people themselves are already asking how they can help us. The girls are getting out, there they have already set up their training regime. Some train with local coaches, some went with their own.”
“Regarding the guys, documents are being prepared now, we are trying to organize somehow so that the national team can continue to maintain its gymnastic form and compete on the international stage, defending the honor of our country. For example, Switzerland offered to bring our national team together and hold training camps there. Everyone is invited along with their families – they are ready even for this. All this, of course, is not a quick process, but our state coach, our federation and our Ministry are working on it.”
“Naturally, there is support from the international federation [FIG] too. For example, they bought tickets for us and will transport our entire delegation from Qatar to Egypt, from Egypt to Azerbaijan. The countries in which we stay help us with the situation, with accommodation, in supporting our training. Local coaches help us out: someone will arrange a massage for the guys, someone for rehab”
The Mykolaiv Zoo needs help to feed their animals. The city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine has been under attack from the Russian army for the past three weeks. The zoo employees are now responsible not only for the animals that were already in their care but also for the pets that evacuating residents had to leave behind and they’re running low on food. There is a very easy way to donate – buy an electronic ticket to the zoo (don’t worry, you’re not taking tickets from real visitors, the zoo is closed to the public right now). Ticket prices range from $0.85 to $3.40 and payments can be made by credit card. The Kyiv Zoo can also be supported this way, tickets cost $3.40.
