For Ukrainian athletes, joy mixes with sorrow at the Paris Olympics

Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — For Ukrainian competitors in Paris for the Olympics, joy goes hand in hand with sorrow. Athletes are striving to enjoy the dream of competing at one of the world’s most prestigious sports events while carrying the burden of the war back home. Ukrainian badminton player Polina Buhrova says she experiences a mix of emotions while trying to enjoy her first Olympics but getting upset reading the news from Ukraine. She says she’s ready to show “how strong we are.” Fencer Olga Kharlan says preparing for the Games was especially challenging because she had to train abroad due to Russia’s war and had not seen her family in a long time.