Zhan Beleniuk: After the full-scale invasion, all our athletes are sports ambassadors for Ukraine

Press Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
12 August 2025, 09:41

The Ukrainian team is performing very well at the 2025 World Games in China. This sporting event provides an opportunity not only to showcase our sporting potential, but also to promote pro-Ukrainian narratives and tell the world the truth about russia's aggression.

This was stated by People's Deputy, First Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth and Sports, Zhan Beleniuk.

«We understand that we need to develop new, non-Olympic sports, because the world is changing. And the World Games are the closest step to entering the Olympic programme. The importance of such competitions is very serious, but at the same time, we must use them as a platform for communication and promotion of pro-Ukrainian narratives, because the media from all over the world are present at the games,» the politician noted.

According to him, our athletes will be able to tell the truth about the conditions in which they prepared for the competitions, about the constant air raid sirens, night shelling, etc.

«After russia's full-scale invasion, this component was added to the work of every athlete from Ukraine. Our athletes have become sports ambassadors for Ukraine,» the MP emphasised.

He also recalled that the state is now placing a serious emphasis on the development of veterans' sports and adaptive sports. A network of adaptive sports clubs is actively developing in Ukraine, with 120 already operating throughout the country, and 200 more planned to open by the end of the year.